By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Samjosef Belangel and Team Gong Aji suffered a 142-126 defeat to Mong Team in the Korean Basketball League’s (KBL) All-Star Game at the Busan Sajik Gymnasium on Sunday night, January 19.

The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout finished with 10 points, including two three-point conversions, to go with three assists and one steal for Team Gong Aji.

“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 Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team member added.

Jameel Warney tallied a double-double of 41 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Mong Team, while Filipino guard Jusin Gutang added six points, one rebound and one assist in nine minutes of action.

For Team Gong Aji, Shawn Long led the scoring with 28 points, complemented by seven rebounds and four assists.

Filipino-American guard Ethan Alvano made his presence felt with 19 markers./ASC, WDJ