By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Samjosef Belangel and the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus sustained a close 80-75 defeat to the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) at the Daegu Gymnasium on Saturday, February 1.

The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout finished with 13 points, eight assists and four rebounds as the Pegasus dropped to an 18-16 win-loss record.

“At first, the concentration was not bad. There were some parts where the prepared defense and rebounds did not work out well, but the players followed through until the half,” Pegasus head coach Kang Hyuk said.

“However, as the second half began, we gave up points that we didn’t have to give up. We allowed points in those parts. I think we made some mistakes,” he said.

“Still, the players played well until the end. It was unfortunate that we lost concentration in the fourth quarter,” he added.

Jameel Warney finished with 29 points and seven rebounds, while Filipino guard Juan Gomez de Liaño contributed two markers as the SK Knights improved to a 27-7 record.

Meanwhile, Carl Tamayo overcame early foul trouble as the Changwon LG Sakers defeated the Wonju DB Promy, 76-61, at the Wonju Sports Complex.

Tamayo, who committed three early fouls in the opening quarter, tallied 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, and a steal as the LG Sakers improved to a 21-13 win-loss record.

Assem Marei led the way with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Darryl Monroe contributed 10 points and seven rebounds for the streaking LG Sakers.

Chinanu Onuaku finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, Lee Gwan-hee added 11 markers, while Filipino-American Ethan Alvano struggled with four points as Wonju dropped to a 16-19 record./ASC, WDJ