Carl Tamayo and the champion Changwon LG Sakers stay hot with three straight wins, while Rhenz Abando is starting to settle in with the Anyang Red Boosters in his return to KBL play.
Carl Tamayo and the defending champion Changwon LG Sakers continue to set the pace early in their bid for back-to-back KBL titles.
Tamayo turned in two strong performances over the weekend to help Changwon build a 3-1 record, grabbing a share of the top spot with former league MVP Ethan Alvano and the Wonju DB Promy.
Against Kevin Quiambao and the Goyang Sono Skygunners, Tamayo posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in an 80-74 victory.
Two days later, Tamayo got the better of fellow UP product JD Cagulangan as the LG Sakers cruised to a 69-53 win over the Suwon KT SonicBoom.
The 24-year-old finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists to help the reigning champions pick up their third straight win after dropping their opener.
Cagulangan had 11 points in the loss as Suwon fell to 3-2.
Meanwhile, Rhenz Abando and the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (3-2) split their weekend games.
Abando scored 15 points to lead Anyang past Arvin Tolentino and the Seoul SK Knights (2-2), 75-66.
He then followed up with a season-high 25 points, though the Red Boosters fell short in a close 83-80 loss to Justin Gutang and the Seoul Samsung Thunders (2-2).
Back to Goyang, Quiambao helped his squad bounce back quickly with an 86-80 victory over SJ Belangel and the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus.
The two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player had 20 points and 11 rebounds to help Goyang improve to 2-3, while Belangel’s 22 points and four assists went for naught as Daegu remained winless in four games.
Earlier, Daegu also dropped an 80-70 decision to Alvano and Wonju.
Belangel tallied 14 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while Alvano recorded a 12-point, 10-assist double-double along with seven boards.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.