Filipino point guard SJ Belangel played his best year for the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, making the 2025 KBL Playoffs.
SJ Belangel figured in a breakthrough season for the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, helping the team advance to the 2025 KBL playoffs for the first time in his three-year career in South Korea.
Among the first Filipinos to ever take his talents to the KBL, Belangel found his rhythm and considers himself finally adjusted to the style of KBL play. After their optimistic showing in the postseason, which ultimately ended with a tough 3-2 loss to Suwon, he believes there’s nothing stopping them from being even better next time around.
“Siguro, next year, we’re gonna be good. I don’t know yet, because there are some players na mawawala samin… But the core is still there. At the same time, there’s new people coming,” Belangel told reporters at the sidelines of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippine Qualifiers.
“So I don’t know yet, but I think we’re gonna go strong based on our performance this year.”
On his personal performances, Belangel has since improved on his averages from last year — norming 14.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals. All-around, it was an improvement across the board from his numbers in the previous year.
Moreover, Daegu entered the post season for the first time with Belangel in the lineup.
The two-time UAAP champion said that it was a product of how he focused on himself this year, and vowed to represent the Philippines well even as more players head over to the KBL for their professional careers.
“Yeah, for me [I’m adjusted], yeah. Kasi it’s my first time being conditioned. Yung condition ko, iba talaga this season. Iniba ko talaga from last year. So, which is nag-work. For me, tinutuloy tuloy ko lang yun. Building my body,” he said.
“And at the same time, [I’m trying to improve] my performance while representing the Philippines. That’s what’s more important than me in there na naglalaro. For me, it’s being able to represent the country, yun talaga yung pinakaimportante sakin,” Belangel added.
Speaking of fellow Filipinos in Korea, Belangel shared the postseason with a familiar face, going up against former collegiate rival JD Cagulangan.
[RELATED: SJ Belangel believes Carl Tamayo can win Finals MVP as first KBL title looms for LG Sakers]
With Cagulangan’s Sonicboom emerging victorious, Belangel said that he was delighted in seeing Filipinos succeed in their careers.
“It’s a fun series. As we all know, we went to Game 5, either way, same nung nangyari nung college namin, both teams deserving manalo, at the same time, ayun, they made a good shot at the end. [Park] Junyoung. So yun, nanalo sila,” said Belangel.
“But it was a great series, I’m so proud of JD, Rookie of the Year, congrats to him and seeing familiar faces talaga.”
Before he thinks about their next season, though, Belangel is happy to be back in Manila as he also spends his time with family and loved ones after spending most of his year away from them.
“Just being happy to be here. Seeing my family once again after 10 months, and eating lots of Filipino food and vacation. So just really happy,” he said.