By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Samjosef Belangel and the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus suffered a close 75-74 defeat to the Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) at the Suwon KT Arena on Tuesday night, March 4.

The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the Pegasus saw their winning run snapped to drop to a 22-19 record.

“It was physically difficult playing four away games,” Pegasus head coach Kang Hyuk said after the game.

“I think all the players gave it their all. It’s just that we didn’t have luck,” he added.

JD Cagulangan finished with 12 points, two steals, one rebound, and one assist for the Sonicboom, which remained in fourth place in the standings with a 25-17 win-loss record.

Down 72-74 with less than a minute left, Cagulangan converted a two-pointer to tie the score at 74-all before they took a 75-74 lead courtesy of a split free throw from Moon Jung-hyun with two seconds left.

The Pegasus still had a chance to snatch the victory, but Andrew Nicholson missed a two-point attempt at the buzzer.

Moon Seong-gon top-scored for the Sonicboom with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Jung-hyun and Rayshaun Hammonds added 14 markers apiece.

Nicholson tallied 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Pegasus.

Kim Nak-hyun added 13 markers, while Jeong Seong-woo contributed 12 points, five assists and two rebounds./ASC, WDJ