By MARK REY MONTEJO
Carl Tamayo came to the rescue of the Changwon LG Sakers anew and held off SJ Belangel and the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, 85-81, in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Sunday, March 23.
Putting behind their heartbreaking 69-65 setback to JD Cagulangan and the Suwon KT Sonicboom the last time, the Sakers were at their best in the third where they took a commanding 58-35 advantage before standing their ground to repel the Pegasus’ big comeback and prevail.
In the battle of two former UAAP stars, Tamayo, the ex-UP star, shone brighter with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go with two rebounds and one assist.
It was the third straight time that Tamayo produced a double-digit performance.
Belangel, who led Ateneo to its last UAAP championship three years ago, scattered 17 points apart from posting four rebounds and six assists in almost 36 minutes of action.
Changwon notched its 30th victory with 18 losses at second place while Daegu remained at fifth with a 24-25 slate.
Meanwhile, Javi Gómez de Liaño cashed in another twin-digit scoring as the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters frustrated the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, 87-84, for their fourth consecutive win.
De Liaño posted 10 points, one rebound and one steal while Johnny O’Bryant III and Park Ji-Hoon showed the way for the Red Boosters with 27 and 21 points, respectively.
Anyang improved to 21-27 and tied with the Ethan Alvano-led Wonju DB Promy for a share of sixth spot in the standings.
Javi’s brother, Juan, sustained a contrasting fate as the league-leading Seoul SK Knights succumbed to the Busan KCC Egis, 81-71.
