Anyang KGC, with Filipino import Rhenz Abando returning to action following an injury, got a lift from Omari Spellman as they routed Wonju DB, 92-74, in the resumption of action in the 2022-23 Korean Basketball League season on Thursday at the Anyang Gymnasium.
Spellman carried the cudgels for the league-leading Anyang, dropping 38 points and 13 rebounds and helping his side raise their win-loss slate to 18-8.
This kept KGC in the solo lead with their 18th win in 26 matches, with the RJ Abarrientos-led Ulsan Mobis Phoebus trailing in second with their 15-10 card, a record they share with the Changwon LG Sakers.
Abando, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Season 97 MVP, saw action for only 11 minutes due to a minor injury. He made only two points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Another Filipino cager, Ethan Alvano, had 11 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds for Wonju, which took back-to-back losses and dropped to 10-16.
Abarrientos unloaded 29 points for Ulsan, which absorbed a 91-101 setback to Suwon KT Sonicboom.
The Sonicbooms, who are getting ready to bring in former Ateneo Blue Eagle Dave Ildefonso into their roster, improved to 10-15.
In other games, another ex-Blue Eagle, SJ Belangel, and his Daegu KOGAS lost to Jeonju KCC Egis, 73-82, over at Gunsan Wolmyeong Gymnasium,
Belangel knocked in two treys and tallied 10 points for the Pegasus, who dropped to 10-16 in the standings.
The Egis, who will get Fil-Canadian cager Calvin Epistola to suit up for them once he gets cleared, were led by Heo Ung, who pumped in 22 points, including five triples.
Espistola was signed up by Egis after negotiations to get Adamson cager Jerom Lastimosa did not push through.