By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Suwon KT Sonicboom displayed steely nerves and nipped the SJ Belangel-led Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, 63-57, to inch closer to the semifinal of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Wednesday, April 16.
The Sonicboom responded immediately after Belangel nailed a booming triple with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter, with Heo Hoon sinking two free throws and a clutch jumper to deny the Pegasus and move one win away from earning a semis berth.
Hoon stood out with 35 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one steal, while Rayshaun Hammonds added 12 points to lead Suwon to a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five quarterfinal series.
Rookie of the Year JD Cagulangan had a quiet one assist performance in the game where he had a heated moment with a Pegasus player.
Cagulangan, though, made an impression in his first two games in the KBL playoffs, chipping in four points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in their 67-64 loss in Game 1, and a seven-point, four-rebound, six-assist, and five-steal statline in Suwon’s 75-71 Game 2 triumph.
On the other hand, Belangel delivered 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 28 minutes of action. Andrew NIcholson and Shin Seung-Min backed him up with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
It was Belangel’s third straight double-digit scoring output in the quarters.
Game 4 is set Friday, April 18.
