All-Star weekend in the KBL will feature four Filipino imports in the All-Star game, with reigning champion Carl Tamayo and former MVP Ethan Alvano at the helm.
Filipino imports will be well represented at the 2025-26 KBL All-Star Basketball Game in January with two players making the cut for the starting lineup for the two teams who will battle it out for bragging rights at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium.
Carl Tamayo of the Changwon LG Sakers made the starting five for Team White where he will be joined by Seoul SK Knights’ Jamil Warney, Lee Jung-hyun of the Goyang Sono Skygunners, Ham Ji-Hoon of Hyundai Mobis, and Park Ji-hoon of the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters.
The former UP standout is a reigning champion with the LG Sakers, and is averaging 18 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and one steal in 20 games played for Chagnwon.
Tamayo’s compatriot Justin Gutang, who plays for the Seoul Samsung Thunders, joins him as a reserve in Team Brown.
Meanwhile, former KBL MVP Ethan Alvano will headline Team Brown, which will be coached by Tamayo’s mentor in Changwon, Cho Sang-hyun.
In his 22 games this season, Alvano has normed 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Alvano, a two-time KBL All-Star, is joined in the starting lineup by Yoo Ki-Sang of Changwon, Ahn Young-joon of the Seoul SK Knights, Ha Yoon-Ki of the Suwon KT Sonicboom, and Nathan Knight of the Goyang Sono Skygunners.
Long-time Daegu KOGAS point guard SJ Belangel joins Alvano’s Team White as a reserve, making it a four-player contingent for the Philippines in the All-Star game.
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.