By MARK REY MONTEJO
JD Cagulangan provided the added firepower and stability, while Heo Hoon delivered the dagger as the Suwon KT Sonicboom escaped past the SJ Belangel-led Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, 78-76, to punch their semifinal ticket in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Sunday, April 20.
Cagulangan showed poise down the stretch, listing a couple of assists and a triple that tied the game to 76-all at 49.2 mark of the fourth quarter before veteran guard Hoon banked in a jumper to give the Sonicboom a 78-76 lead with 2.8 seconds left.
In the next possession, Andrew Nicholson tried to steal the match with a trey but missed his target terribly.
With its win, Suwon arranged a semis series against the league-leading Seoul SK Knights this Wednesday, April 23, in a duel where Cagulangan battles fellow former University of the Philippines Maroon in Juan Gomez de Liaño.
Proving why he’s the season’s Rookie of the Year, Cagulangan tallied 12 points, one rebound, four assists, and one steal in almost 29 minutes of action.
Also starring in the Sonicboom’s win were Ha Yun-Gi (19), Moon Jeong-Hyeon (13), Rayshaun Hammonds (12), and late-game hero Heon (12).
Belangel, meanwhile, chipped in 13 points on top of four rebounds, five assists, and one block.
Meanwhile, Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers begin their semis showdown Thursday, April 24, against the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus where erstwhile College of Saint Benilde Blazer Migs Oczon is suiting up.
