KBL: RJ Abarrientos’ season-best goes down the drain as Ulsan loses to Suwon
Ulsan guard RJ Abarrientos. Photo from Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
MANILA, Philippines — RJ Abarrientos erupted for a season-high 29 points but it went for naught as Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus yielded to Suwon KT SonicBoom, 101-91, in the 2022-23 Korean Basketball League season on Tuesday at Suwon KT Arena.
Abarrientos waxed hot from the three-point line, sinking 7-of-12 from deep on top of four assists, two steals, and one rebound.
His teammate, Gauge Prim also scored 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but they couldn’t save Ulsan from falling to a 15-10 record.
Suwon leaned on the 27-point effort of Ha Yoon-gi to improve to a 10-15 card.
Lester Prosper was also instrumental with 10 points as the SonicBoom awaits the arrival of UAAP champion Dave Ildefonso, who has yet to make an official announcement.
Meanwhile, Rhenz Abando was benched but Anyang KGC still edged the Goyang Carrot Jumpers, 84-82, at Anyang Gymnasium.
With the Letran standout resting, Oh Se-keun and Park Ji-hoon led Anyang’s balanced attack with 17 points each to snap their two-game skid and rise to a 17-8 record as the current top seed.
On Monday, Justin Gutang’s return was spoiled as the Changwon LG Sakers suffered a 101-85 defeat to Jeonju KCC Egis at Changwon Gymnasium.
Gutang had nine points, three assists, a rebound, and a steal in his return after missing the past two games as the Sakers’ five-game win streak was ended and fell to a 15-10 slate tied with Abarrientos’ Mobis Phoebus in the second seed.
