By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Justin Gutang made some crucial passes in the endgame as Changwon LG Sakers pulled off a come-from-behind 82-81 victory over Wonju DB Promy in the 2022-2023 Korean Basketball League (KBL) at the Wonju Sports Complex on Tuesday night, January 17.

Down 77-81 with over a minute left, Gutang found Lee Kwan-hee who was fouled while attempting from the three-point area. The Korean cager drilled two of his three free throws to cut the deficit to 79-81.

After a missed shot by Filipino-American Ethan Alvano of Wonju, the LG Sakers regained ball possession and Gutang passed the ball to Jung Hee-jae, who made the go-ahead triple with 45 seconds left.

The Promy had numerous opportunities to steal the victory, but basket attempts from Alvano, Park In-woong and Kang Sang-jae were thwarted by the tough defense of the LG Sakers.

Gutang, a former standout of College of St. Benilde Blazers, finished the game with eight points, eight assists and two rebounds as the LG Sakers stayed in second place with a 19-12 record.

Kim Jun-il led the way for the Cho Sang-yun-mentored LG Sakers with 18 markers, Assem Marei chipped in 17 markers to go with nine rebounds, while Lee contributed 13 markers.

However, it was a sorry defeat for Alvano and the Promy as the Filipino-American gunner’s 14-point effort, including two outside conversions, went to waste with the come-from-behind defeat.

Dewan Hernandez led the way with 16 points, all from the two-point area, Lennard Freeman had double-double 10 points and 16 rebounds, while Park In-woong also had 10 markers as the Promy dropped to a 12-20 record.

Gutang and the LG Sakers will look to continue their winning streak as they face Negrense Samjosef Belangel and the Daegu Korean Gas Corporation Pegasus at the Changwon Stadium on Friday, January 20.

On the other hand, Alvano and DB Promy aim to return to their winning ways tonight, as they battle the streaking Goyang Carrot Jumpers at Goyang Stadium./ASC, WDJ