By MARK REY MONTEJO
Former University of the Philippines star JD Cagulangan played his longest playing time for the Suwon KT Sonicboom, but his effort fell short as they absorbed a 65-61 loss to the Seoul SK Knights at the start of their semis series in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Wednesday, April 23.
In 36 minutes of action, the top rookie of the year tallied four points, four rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal – numbers that went down the drain as Jameel Warney presided over the Knights’ decisive breakaway in the fourth frame.
After surging to a 63-52 advantage, the Knights held on to their ground to repel Suwon’s determined chase and take the opener of their best-of-five series.
Warney took charge for Seoul as he poured in 23 points on top of nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Kim Sun-Hyung added 10 points.
His Filipino counterpart and also a former Maroon star, Juan Gomez de Liano did not see action.
Carl Tamayo, another ex-UP star who is carrying the colors of the Changwon LG Sakers, is also in the semis. They will be up against the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, who also have a Filipino player in their team in former College of Saint Benilde Blazer Migs Oczon.
