Cagulangan, Suwon escape Belangel, Daegu to punch KBL semis ticket

April 22 ------ JD Cagulangan provided the support, while Heo Hoon delivered the dagger as the Suwon KT Sonicboom escaped the SJ Belangel-led Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, 78-76, to punch their semifinal ticket in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). Cagulangan showed poise down the stretch, listing a couple of assists and a triple that tied the game to 76-all with 49.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter before veteran guard Hoon sank a jumper off the board to give the Sonicbom a 78-76 lead with 2.8 seconds left. 

In the next possession, Andrew Nicholson tried to steal the match with a trey but it went airball, ending the Pegasus’ run in the best-of-five quarterfinal series. With its win, Suwon secured its spot in the semis where it faces the league-leading Seoul SK Knights this Wednesday, April 23. 

The two-time UAAP champion will meet his fellow former University of the Philippines Maroon in Juan Gomez de Liaño, who is currently suiting up for the Knights. Proving why he’s the season’s Rookie of the Year, Cagulangan shone with 12 points, one rebound, four assists, and one steal in almost 29 minutes of action. Also starring in the Sonicboom’s offense were Ha Yun-Gi (19), Moon Jeong-Hyeon (13), Rayshaun Hammonds (12), and late-game hero Heon (12). 

Belangel, meanwhile, chipped in 13 points on top of four rebounds, five assists, and one block. Nicholson had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Kim Nak-Hyeon poured in 14 points which all went to waste as Daegu bowed out of contention. Meanwhile, Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers begin their semis showdown Thursday, April 24, against the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus where erstwhile College of Saint Benilde Blazer Migs Oczon is in. 

Source: mb.com.ph