By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Samjoseph Belangel of the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus is thrilled with his first-ever appearance in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) All-Star Game.

According to Belangel, he is grateful to the KBL fans and his fellow players for voting him in the annual festivity slated for January 19 at the Busan Sajik Gymnasium.

“I am very happy. I feel like I’ve achieved a great sense of accomplishment and achieved my goal as a basketball player,” Belangel said in an interview with Naver Sports.

“I am very grateful to the fans for choosing me as an All-Star. I’m grateful to the Gas Corporation fans once again,” the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout added.

Belangel had decent numbers for the Pegasus this season, recording 13.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals in almost 30 minutes of the game.

The Pegasus Asian Quota Player secured 14th place out of 20 players voted, with a total of 23.49 points, coming from 37,007 fan votes and 31 player votes.

“This is my first All-Star selection, so I plan to enjoy it as an experience,” Belangel said.

“I’ll make good memories with the All-Star team players,” he added.

Belangel is the second Filipino player in the All-Star event, aside from Ethan Alvano of Wonju DB Promy, who is making his second appearance./ASC, WDJ