October 16 ------ JAPAN isn’t the only place where Filipino imports are thriving. South Korea has also gathered a rich harvest of young Filipino basketball talent with at least eight players being signed as part of the Asian Players Quota for this year's Korean Basketball League (KBL) season which opens this weekend.
Ethan Alvano leads the pack, signing up with the Wonju DB Promy squad where last year he became the first non-Korean to claim MVP honors. The Fil-Am guard, who also suited up with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, turned heads last season with his averages of 15.88 points, 6.47 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. SJ Belangel inked his signature for the third straight season with the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus. The former Ateneo playmaker has come to his own last year, averaging 12.63 points, 3.75 assists, and 2.21 rebounds to emerge as one of the league’s most promising point guards. Migs Oczon is also out to impress in his second year with Ulsan Mobis Hyundai Phoebus, aiming to bump up his numbers of 9.16 points on 28-percent shooting from deep, to go with 3.52 assists, and 1.6 boards. He’s driven to establish himself as one of the league’s premier shooters, much like how he did with St. Benilde.
Juan Gomez de Liano is also out to make up for lost time after being hobbled by injuries last season, seeking a stronger showing in his second year with Seoul SK Knights. It’s his fourth season in the international scene after previously playing for Earthfriends Tokyo Z in Japan and with BC Wolves in Lithuania. His brother Javi followed him in Korea, signing with Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters after two seasons with Terrafirma in the PBA. It’s a return to overseas life for the older Gomez de Liano who also had a season-long run with the Ibaraki Robots in the B.League.
Carl Tamayo, the former University of the PHilippines star who played in Japan the past two seasons, has joined the Changwon LG Sakers. He was formerly with the Ryukyu Golden Kings where he reportedly did not make much of an impression. But the Korean team seems to believe otherwise. He takes the place of Justin Gutang, who is now with the Seoul Samsung Thunders after playing the past two seasons with Changwon.
Completing the Pinoy cast in Korea is Fil-Canadian guard Calvin Epistola, who is now in his third season with the defending KBL champion Busan KCC Egis. There would have been nine players this season, but Suwon KT SonicBoom released Fil-Am guard Dalph Panopio before the season started after the player suffered a back injury. Obviously, Korea's gain is a loss for the Philippines as many of the country's upcoming stars have shunned playing for the PBA and chose to play abroad. The main reason is probably the huge pay disparity between the two leagues as those who decided to sign up with overseas teams get so much more than what they would have received in the PBA.
In this regard, it seems many young talent no longer look at the PBA as their dream destination, they now look forward to getting a contract to play in Japan or South Korea. It's a sad day when a local star chooses to leave his country to play abroad. But that's how the ball bounces.
Source: spin.ph
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