By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Changwon LG Sakers bucked a shaky start to defeat the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, 79–72, and snap their two-game slide in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Friday, March 7.
After falling behind 30-16 in the first quarter, the Sakers got back to their senses and went full steam in the third, unleashing a 15-6 run to surge ahead, 58-53, a lead they protected with all their might to prevail.
Assem Marei listed a double-double output of 17 points and 14 rebounds with five assists while Carl Tamayo chalked up 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal and Yu Ki-Sang also added 16 to end Changwon’s drought.
It was the third straight twin-digit scoring for the Gilas standout following his 34-point explosion that went for naught in the team’s 67-63 loss to Wonju.
Andrew Nicholson, SJ Belangel, and Jeong Hyo-Woo posted 20, 18, and 15 points, respectively, for Daegu.
The Sakers hiked their record to 26-12 at second while the Pegasus remained at fifth with a 22-20 slat after its back-to-back losses.
Meanwhile, the league-leading Seoul SK Knights romped to a 71-56 win over Kevin Quiambao and his Goyang Skygunners .
Quiambao was held to seven points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal despite playing for almost 29 minutes — a scoring production that halted his ninth straight double-digit outing which started on Jan. 28.
