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Tag: Korean Basketball League

  • Arvin Tolentino keeps PBA return in play while staying locked in on KBL run

    Arvin Tolentino keeps PBA return in play while staying locked in on KBL run

    Even as his career continues to unfold overseas, the pull of home remains a constant for Arvin Tolentino.

     

    Now suiting up for the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), the former PBA standout isn’t shutting the door on a return to the Philippines—but he’s in no rush to make that decision.

     

    “Of course, still home for me ang Philippines. Iba pa rin kapag nasa sariling bayan ka,” said Tolentino before heading back to Korea following his team’s exit in the East Asia Super League finals.

     

    “But right now, wala pa yan sa isip ko dahil I’m still focused on my team (Seoul SK Knights).”

    Tolentino’s situation is unique. Unlike several players affected by the PBA’s three-year ban on those who bypass contract offers to play elsewhere, the 30-year-old wingman left for Korea before the rule was enforced. That timing leaves the door open for a potential return whenever he chooses.

     

    Still, any talk of a comeback remains distant. Tolentino is currently in the first year of a two-year deal with the Knights, with a possible option to decide his next move afterward.

     

    “Two years and then I have an option to come back on the third (year),” he shared.

     

    “Yung two years na yun baka puwede pag-isipan (PBA comeback). But right now, I can’t answer anything regarding that.”

     

    For now, his focus is firmly on carving out a role in a league that has tested him in new ways. The transition from the PBA to the KBL has been far from seamless, particularly with the pace and style of play in Korea.

     

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    “Doon ako nag-struggle. Ang bibilis ng mga ito (Koreans). Pero inunti-unti ko sa practice. Habol lang ng habol sa mga guwardiya hanggang nasanay na,” he admitted.

     

    “Of course, yung strength ko pa rin is spacing the floor, doon talaga ako nag-focus. Yun ang hindi puwedeng mawala.”

     

    Nearly a year into his stint abroad, Tolentino says the adjustment is still ongoing.

     

    “I can’t say na 100 percent adjusted na ako. Until now marami pa rin (adjustments), kasi super different e. Iba yung PBA and KBL,” he said.

     

    His path also differs from most Filipino imports in Korea, many of whom transitioned directly from the collegiate ranks.

     

    “Kasi yung iba doon galing college. Ako lang yung may experience from the PBA to KBL,” he explained. “So I have to adjust on my own and really be smart.”

     

    Despite the learning curve, Tolentino has quietly put together a steady campaign for Seoul. In the 2025–26 KBL season, he is averaging around 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game in roughly 21 minutes of action, while shooting an efficient clip from the field and beyond the arc. 

     

    In the Seoul Knights campaign in the East Asia Super League (EASL) however, the former FEU Tamaraw has averaged 18 points per game leading the Knights to an EASL quarterfinals appearance. 

     

    Those numbers reflect a player still finding his full rhythm in a new system, but already contributing to a team that remains firmly in the upper half of the standings.

     

    And while the future remains open-ended, one thing is clear: whether in Korea or back home, Tolentino is determined to keep evolving his game—one adjustment at a time.

     

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  • Kevin Quiambao helps Goyang Sono protect KBL playoff spot despite Carl Tamayo effort for Changwon LG

    Kevin Quiambao helps Goyang Sono protect KBL playoff spot despite Carl Tamayo effort for Changwon LG

    A crucial win kept the playoff picture intact for the Goyang Sono Skygunners after they outlasted league leader Changwon LG Sakers, 74-70, in a tense battle in the Korean Basketball League on Wednesday.

     

    The victory allowed Goyang Sono to keep its grip on sixth place—the final postseason berth—with a balanced team effort that included another steady performance from Kevin Quiambao.

     

    Quiambao logged heavy minutes, staying on the floor for 38 minutes while contributing nine points, eight rebounds and five assists. His all-around effort helped the Skygunners improve to a 23-23 record as they continued their push to remain in the playoff zone.

     

    Across the court, fellow Filipino standout Carl Tamayo delivered a solid outing for Changwon LG, leading the Sakers with 13 points along with eight rebounds and three assists. Despite the loss, the Sakers remain on top of the standings with a 31-15 mark.

     

    Elsewhere in the league, the Anyang KGC tightened its hold on second place after edging the Seoul Samsung Thunders, 84-79.

     

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    The matchup featured several Filipino players, though playing time was uneven. Rhenz Abando saw limited action for the Red Boosters, playing just five minutes and finishing with a rebound, while Justin Gutang tried to spark Seoul with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.

     

    The win pushed Anyang to a 29-16 record, keeping them within striking distance of Changwon in the standings, while Seoul fell deeper with a 13-32 slate.

     

    In another tight contest, the Busan KCC Egis escaped the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, 90-89, to extend their winning streak to three games and maintain fifth place.

     

    Filipino imports had minimal impact in that matchup. William Navarro played just two minutes and recorded two points and an assist for Busan, while Jake Figueroa did not see action for the third straight game for Ulsan.

     

    Busan improved to 24-21 with the narrow victory, while Ulsan slipped to 16-29 as the KBL season continues to tighten with the playoffs drawing closer.

     

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  • SJ Belangel, Arvin Tolentino shine in big KBL nights

    SJ Belangel, Arvin Tolentino shine in big KBL nights

    It was a night of turning points and statement performances for Filipino standouts in the Korean Basketball League.

     

    In Daegu, desperation met opportunity — and finally, relief.

     

    After seven straight defeats, Daegu KoGas found its breakthrough in the most dramatic fashion possible, edging league-leading Changwon LG Sakers, 72–71, before a roaring home crowd at the Daegu Gymnasium. The victory didn’t just end a skid; it came at the expense of the KBL’s top team.

     

    Former Gilas Pilipinas floor general SJ Belangel steadied the ship when it mattered most. In 19 efficient minutes, he tallied 10 points, five assists, and three rebounds, helping KoGas regain composure in crunch time and return to the win column. The result lifted KoGas to 12–27, a modest improvement in the standings but a significant emotional boost for a squad searching for traction. LG, despite the setback, remains firmly atop the league at 28–12.

     

    While Belangel orchestrated a revival in Daegu, Arvin Tolentino authored a personal milestone in Seoul.

     

    Tolentino erupted for a new KBL career-high 26 points, adding six rebounds, two assists, and three steals in the Seoul Knights’ commanding 81–64 victory over the Goyang Sono Skygunners. It was an assertive, all-around display that underscored his growing confidence in the league.

     

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    On the other side, Kevin Quiambao endured a rare off night. The versatile forward finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists but struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 3-of-11 from the field as Goyang fell behind early and never fully recovered.

     

    Elsewhere, the night nearly belonged to Justin Gutang.

     

    The high-energy guard flirted with a triple-double in Seoul Thunders’ 104–101 overtime loss to the Suwon KT Sonicboomers. Gutang dished out 10 assists and came within a single point and rebound of completing the stat sheet trifecta, delivering one of his most complete performances of the season despite the narrow defeat.

     

    Suwon KT continues to navigate life without JD Cagulangan, who has been ruled out for the 2025–2026 season after suffering an ACL injury last month against Wonju DB Promy. The absence of the dynamic guard has reshaped the team’s rotation, but the Sonicboomers managed to grind out the extra-period win regardless.

     

    With the regular-season grind intensifying, more opportunities await.

    Jake Figueroa looks to sustain his steady play as Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus host the Seoul Thunders on Thursday, while Rhenz Abando and Anyang JungKwanJang prepare for a Friday showdown against Suwon KT.

     

    From breaking losing streaks to setting career highs and flirting with historic stat lines, Filipino players continue to leave their imprint across the KBL landscape — one game-changing performance at a time.

     

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  • Arvin Tolentino powers all-Filipino Team Asia to statement win at KBL All-Star Weekend

    Arvin Tolentino powers all-Filipino Team Asia to statement win at KBL All-Star Weekend

    What was billed as a lighthearted midseason showcase turned into a proud declaration of Filipino presence in Korea, as Arvin Tolentino led an all-Pinoy cast to victory during the KBL All-Star Weekend in Seoul. 

     

    Wearing the colors of Team Asia, Tolentino anchored the group with authority, steering them to an 82–79 win over Team Rookie at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. 

     

    The Seoul SK Knights import delivered a commanding all-around performance, finishing with 19 points and 14 rebounds to emerge as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

     

    Rather than treating the exhibition as mere entertainment, Team Asia played with purpose, echoing a similar result achieved by Filipino reinforcements in Japan’s B.League earlier this season. 

     

    The message was clear: Filipino imports are no sideshow in Asian basketball — they are difference-makers.

     

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    Busan KCC Egis forward William Navarro was hot in the clutch with a game-high 22 points, while also contributing five assists and four rebounds. 

     

    He was ably supported by Kevin Quiambao of Goyang Sono Skygunners and Justin Gutang of Seoul Samsung Thunders, who chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, to keep Team Rookie at bay.

     

    Veteran trailblazer SJ Belangel, now suiting up for Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals — a reminder of the all-around reliability that made him one of the first Filipinos to break through in the KBL.

     

    The night also marked a personal milestone for Jake Figueroa, who finally saw action in Korea just days after arriving. Playing alongside his fellow Filipinos, Figueroa made the most of his brief stint with three points, an assist, and a steal — a quiet but meaningful debut.

     

    Team Asia pulled off the win despite notable absences, with Carl Tamayo and Rhenz Abando sidelined due to undisclosed injuries. 

     

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  • Jake Figueroa takes UAAP stardom to Korea, set to join Ulsan Hyundai Mobis

    Jake Figueroa takes UAAP stardom to Korea, set to join Ulsan Hyundai Mobis

    For Jake Figueroa, the next step forward means stepping far from home.

     

    The National University standout is officially set to begin his professional career overseas, flying to South Korea on Thursday to suit up for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League. 

     

    It’s a move that marks the transition from collegiate cornerstone to international pro for one of the UAAP’s most complete forwards.

     

    “Excited na. At the same time, ready lang sa panibagong challenge,” said Figueroa, fresh off a stellar UAAP Season 88 campaign that earned him a spot on the Mythical Team.

     

    Ulsan, currently mired near the bottom of the standings at 11-21, is hoping the Filipino forward can provide a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor. 

     

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    Figueroa arrives with a reputation as a do-it-all wing, coming off averages of 13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 block in his final season with the Bulldogs. 

     

    Including a UAAP Player of the Week nod averaging 17.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals and blocks per game leading the Bulldogs to a 1-1 record in the tournament’s Round 2. 

     

    While the opportunity abroad signals growth, Figueroa made sure not to close the chapter quietly. Before boarding his flight, he returned to NU one last time on Wednesday — a brief homecoming that underscored where his journey began before the leap to the professional ranks.

     

    Figueroa takes over the import slot vacated by Migs Oczon, whose season was cut short by a shoulder injury. For Mobis Phoebus, the timing could not be better. 

     

    For Figueroa, it’s the start of a test that will define his career beyond the UAAP — one where versatility, toughness, and maturity will now be measured on a bigger stage.

     

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  • Suwon KT of KBL eyes DLSU’s Jacob Cortez, UST’s Nic Cabanero as replacement for injured JD Cagulangan

    Suwon KT of KBL eyes DLSU’s Jacob Cortez, UST’s Nic Cabanero as replacement for injured JD Cagulangan

    Suwon KT’s season took a sharp turn the moment JD Cagulangan went down.

     

    With the Filipino point guard ruled out for the year due to a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, the Sonicboom are suddenly operating without the engine that steadied their backcourt. What was once a team gaining rhythm is now one racing against time, forced into the market to plug a glaring hole at point guard.

     

    Multiple sources closely monitoring the situation say Suwon KT has shifted its focus to the Philippines, where two young guards have emerged as serious options: De La Salle University floor general Jacob Cortez and University of Santo Tomas standout Nic Cabanero.

     

    The urgency is understandable. Before Cagulangan’s injury, Suwon KT was riding a four-game winning streak with the former University of the Philippines star orchestrating the offense. 

     

    The two-time UAAP champion averaged 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 22 minutes for  Suwon KT before going down with the injury. 

     

    Without him, the Sonicboom have been left thin at the guard spot, even as they remain in the thick of the playoff race at 16–16, good for sixth place in the standings.

     

     

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    Cortez represents a ready-made organizer with a winning pedigree. At 23 and standing 5-foot-11, the son of former PBA star Mike Cortez delivered a breakout season for La Salle, averaging 15.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals.

     

    His poise and shot-making were central to the Green Archers’ UAAP Season 88 championship run—his second collegiate title after lifting the NCAA Season 99 crown with San Beda in 2023. A move overseas, however, would come at a cost, as Cortez would have to give up his final year of eligibility with La Salle.

     

    Cabanero offers a different profile. Taller at 6-foot-2, the 22-year-old has been a fixture for UST, earning UAAP Elite Team honors twice across a five-year collegiate career. 

     

    Last season, the Cebuano guard posted 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while steering the Growling Tigers to a fourth-place finish. His size and scoring punch could provide Suwon KT with versatility in a backcourt suddenly short on options.

     

    Any move, though, comes with added layers. Should Suwon KT opt to bring in a new Asian import, the club would still need to negotiate a buyout for the remainder of Cagulangan’s contract, a reminder that replacing a key piece is rarely straightforward.

     

    For now, the Sonicboom are weighing risk, timing, and fit. With their season balanced on the playoff line, the search for Cagulangan’s successor is no longer just about filling a spot—it’s about preserving momentum before it slips away.

     

     

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  • South Korean press not open to Kevin Quiambao winning KBL Rookie of the Year award

    South Korean press not open to Kevin Quiambao winning KBL Rookie of the Year award

    Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Kevin Quiambao has emerged at the center of a growing debate in the 2025–26 Korean Basketball League (KBL) surrounding eligibility for the league’s Rookie of the Year award. 

     

    The Filipino, currently playing for the Goyang Sono Skygunners, has drawn both acclaim for his play and criticism from some domestic media figures in South Korea.

     

    Quiambao, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player before turning professional, has posted impactful numbers this season and is frequently mentioned among the top candidates for the prestigious award. 

     

    His all-around play, scoring, rebounding, and facilitating,  has captured the attention of fans and analysts across the league. However, a faction of South Korean basketball journalists has raised objections, arguing that the Rookie of the Year honor should be restricted exclusively to local Korean players.

     

    The conversation reportedly gained traction after a prominent veteran reporter made comments on a Korean basketball-focused YouTube podcast, asserting that foreign and Asian import players should be ineligible for the recognition. 

     

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    The reporter stressed that the award traditionally celebrated emerging homegrown talent, and thus should not go to a player like Quiambao, who entered the league under the Asian Quota system.

     

    The KBL has historically welcomed foreign athletes through the Asian Quota program, intended to elevate competitive standards and diversify the league’s player pool.

     

    Filipino imports such as Rhenz Abando, SJ Belangel, Migz Gozon, Ethan Alvano, and Justin Gutang have all found success in recent seasons, contributing significantly to their respective teams. Meanwhile, last season’s Rookie of the Year, JD Cagulangan, posted notable averages for the Suwon KT Sonicboom.

     

    While the KBL has not yet publicly clarified whether any nationality-based eligibility restrictions will apply, the award announcement is scheduled for the annual KBL Awards Ceremony following the conclusion of the regular season in April. 

     

    At that time, league officials will officially name the Rookie of the Year, potentially setting a precedent for how the honor is defined in future import-heavy seasons.

     

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  • KBL: Carl Tamayo explodes for 31 as Changwon topples Seoul

    KBL: Carl Tamayo explodes for 31 as Changwon topples Seoul

    Filipino forward Carl Tamayo scored 31 points to lead the Changwon LG Sakers to an 83–70 victory over the struggling Seoul Samsung Thunders in a Korean Basketball League (KBL) regular-season matchup at Changwon Gymnasium.

     

    Tamayo, who has been one of the most consistent performers for the defending KBL champions this season, tallied 31 points, just six shy of his career high, against a Thunders squad that has had difficulty closing out games this season.

     

    The LG Sakers set the tone early and maintained control in all four quarters, refusing to let Seoul regain momentum at any point. 

     

    Changwon improved to 21–8 with the win, keeping pace near the top of the league standings and strengthening their claim as one of the league’s elite teams. This victory also marked their third win in four outings.

     

    Aside Tamayo’s offensive explosion, Changwon received important contributions from veteran big man Assem Marei, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. 

     

    Marei also chipped in four assists and a steal, providing a balanced effort that complemented Tamayo’s scoring.

     

    For Seoul, the game continued a troubling skid as the Thunders suffered their eighth consecutive loss, leaving them at 9–20 on the season. 

     

    Filipino reinforcement Justin Gutang struggled to find his rhythm in Changwon, finishing with just three points in more than 28 minutes of action, along with two rebounds and five assists.

     

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    The only bright spot for Seoul was forward Kerem Kanter, who finished with 40 points and 13 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to keep the Thunders competitive in the late stages of the game.

     

    Tamayo’s performance continues a pattern of high-level play for the Filipino star in Korea, where he has regularly been among Changwon’s top scorers this season. 

     

    His ability to score both inside and from the perimeter has made him one of the focal points of the Sakers’ attack as they pursue another deep run in the KBL.

     

    With the win, Changwon looks to capitalize on its momentum heading into the second half of the season, while Seoul will need to regroup quickly if it hopes to reverse its fortunes and climb back into playoff contention.

     

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  • Carl Tamayo’s KBL surge puts historic MVP run within reach as Filipino imports light up Korea

    Carl Tamayo’s KBL surge puts historic MVP run within reach as Filipino imports light up Korea

    A halfway glance at the Korean Basketball League season suggests a shift quietly taking place—and at the center of it stands Carl Tamayo.

     

    The Changwon LG Sakers forward has turned consistency into dominance, steering the league leaders to a 20-7 record while placing himself squarely in conversations rarely reserved for Asian imports, much less homegrown Filipinos. If the trajectory holds, Tamayo could carve out a piece of history as the first locally developed Filipino to capture KBL MVP honors.

     

    Tamayo’s impact has gone beyond box scores, though the numbers tell a compelling story on their own: 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while anchoring a championship-caliber squad. 

     

    Even on nights when he doesn’t explode offensively, his presence tilts games. That was evident in Changwon’s 80-62 dismantling of Seoul Samsung, where Tamayo calmly orchestrated the flow with nine points, eight boards, and six assists.

     

    An MVP season would add to an already growing résumé that includes a KBL championship with the Sakers last year. It would also place him in rare company, following Fil-Am guard Ethan Alvano, the lone Asian import to win the award back in 2024. 

     

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    Yet Tamayo’s individual rise is unfolding within a broader Filipino wave sweeping through the KBL.

    Rhenz Abando, Kevin Quiambao, Ethan Alvano, SJ Belangel, JD Cagulangan, and Justin Gutang have each carved distinct roles for their teams, from centerpiece scorers to steady stabilizers. 

     

    Abando has reignited Anyang Jung Kwan Jang’s title chase after a year away, while Alvano continues to operate at an elite level for Wonju DB Promy. Quiambao, meanwhile, has embraced the burden of leadership for Goyang Sono despite the team’s struggles.

     

    Even role players and newcomers are finding their footing. Arvin Tolentino has rediscovered his perimeter touch with Seoul SK, William Navarro is gaining momentum in Busan, and the impending arrival of Jake Figueroa adds another layer of intrigue to the season’s second half.

     

    For Tamayo, however, the spotlight burns a little brighter. With Changwon eyeing a repeat and his all-around influence growing by the week, the MVP question no longer feels speculative—it feels imminent.

     

    If the second half mirrors the first, Tamayo won’t just be leading a title defense. He may be redefining how far Filipino talent can go on one of Asia’s toughest professional stages.

     

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