KBL: RJ Abarrientos, Ulsan fall to Goyang as quarterfinals tied

Ulsan Hyundai’s RJ Abarrientos. –ULSAN MOBIS PHOTO

(UPDATED)

MANILA, Philippines—RJ Abarrientos’ huge outing was not enough as Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus suffered an 86-79 loss to the Goyang Carrot Jumpers  in the Korean Basketball League quarterfinals after at Dongchun Gymnasium on Tuesday.

Abarrientos, who finished with nine points in Game 1 of the best-of-five series, continued to show his prowess with 16 points, six assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block as a starter.

KBL’s Rookie of the Year played for 33 minutes and shot efficiently in the field, sinking six of his 14 attempts, but it was not enough to build on Ulsan’s 86-71 win on Sunday.

Junghyun Lee was the high-point man for Goyang with 34 big markers to force a rubber match on Thursday with the winner facing Rhenz Abando and Anyang KGC in a best-of-five semifinals duel.

Dedric Lawson added to the Carrot Jumpers’ win with 23 points to his name, tying the series at 1-1.

Over at the other end of the bracket, the Seoul SK Knights are holding a 1-0 series lead against the Jeonju KCC Egis after taking Game 1 on Sunday, 89-73. Game 2 is set for Wednesday night.