By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Justin Gutang and Changwon LG Sakers prevailed over Samjosef Belangel and Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus in the 2022-2023 Korean Basketball League (KBL) at the Daegu Gymnasium on Wednesday night, February 8.

Gutang, a former College of St. Benilde Blazers guard, finished with six points on 3-of-4 shooting, to go with two rebounds, one assist and a steal in six minutes as the LG Sakers moved up to a 25-14 record.

Assem Marei finished with double-double 27 points and 10 rebounds, Jaedo Lee and Jung In-deok added 14 markers apiece, while Jung Hee-jae and Yoon Won-sang had 13 and 11, respectively, for Changwon.

On the other hand, the Bacolod City-native Belangel managed five points along with three assists and a steal in close to 12 minutes of action as the Pegasus dropped to 13-25.

Murphy Holloway led Daegu with 21 points, Daesung Lee added 19 markers, while Jeong Hyo-geun, former PBA import Devon Scott and Daeheon Lee had 16, 13 and 12, respectively.

Meanwhile, Rhon Jay Abarrientos and Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus saw their winning run snapped after a 73-68 loss to Seoul SK Knights at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium.

Jameel Marcus Warney led the way with double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds, Seongwon Choi added 15 markers, while Seonhyung Kim and Junyong Choi had 13 and 10, respectively, as the defending champions SK Knights improved to a 22-16 record.

Myungjin Seo finished with 18 points, including three outside conversions, Gaige Prim added double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Wooseok Lee had 13 markers as the Phoebus dropped to 23-16.

Abarrientos, a former Far Eastern University Tamaraws guard, finished with just eight points, on 3-of-12 shooting, to go with four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block for the Phoebus.

Abarrientos came from a solid 23-point output, sparked by seven three-point conversions, in Phoebus’ 80-71 victory over Filipino-American Ethan Alvano and Wonju DB Promy on Sunday evening, February 5./ASC, WDJ