KBL: JD Cagulangan, Suwon edge SJ Belangel, Daegu to near semis

Suwon KT Sonicboom’s JD Cagulangan during a Korean Basketball League (KBL) game. –KBL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — JD Cagulangan’s Suwon KT Sonicboom inched closer to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) semifinals after taking Game 3 with a 63-57 victory over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus on Wednesday at Daegu Gymnasium.

READ: JD Cagulangan wins KBL Rookie of Year award

Cagulangan, the KBL Rookie of the Year, though missed all of his eight shots and had two rebounds and an assist, but Heo Hoon unleashed 35 points to go with six rebounds and six assists to take a series lead, 2-1, and try to advance in Game 4 on Friday.

After losing Game 1, Cagulangan delivered a clutch jumper and dished out a crucial assist to Heo to equalize the series with a 75-71 win last Monday, where the UAAP Finals MVP from the University of the Philippines tallied seven points, six assists, five steals, and four rebounds.

Daegu KOGAS Pegasus’ SJ Belangel during a Korean Basketball League (KBL) game. –KBL PHOTO

READ: JD Cagulangan makes immediate impact for Suwon in KBL debut

SJ Belangel had 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists to lead the Pegasus, who lost their second consecutive game in the series.

Meanwhile, Javi Gomez De Liaño and the Anyang Jung Kwan fight for their season on Thursday against the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, who lead the best-of-five series, 2-0.

Last Tuesday, in a 90-72 blowout loss to Ulsan, led by Gaige Prim and Shawn Long, De Liaño was limited to four points, two rebounds, and two steals.

Mythical five awardee Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers are waiting for the winner of the Anyang-Ulsan series for a semifinals duel.