Daegu KOGAS Pegasus’ SJ Belangel during a Korean Basketball League (KBL) game. –KBL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — SJ Belangel relished the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus’ breakthrough playoff appearance in the 2024-25 Korean Basketball League (KBL).
He also lauded the rise of Filipino imports including Carl Tamayo, who is a win away from capturing the title with the Changwon LG Sakers.
READ: Red-hot Carl Tamayo, Changwon one win away from KBL title
SJ Belangel talks about his recent Korean Basketball League campaign and the rise of Filipino imports including Carl Tamayo, who is a win away from a championship. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/H1YU6hBYWt
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 10, 2025
Belangel played his best season yet in the KBL, making his maiden quarterfinals after averaging 14.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals.
“It’s been great. This is actually my first time really focusing on conditioning, and I did things very differently this season compared to last year. It worked, so I’ve just been sticking with it building my body and improving my performance, all while representing the Philippines,” Belangel told the reporters in the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“That’s what really matters to me, representing the country while I’m out there playing,” he added.
The former Ateneo guard is confident the Pegasus will be better next season despite the quarterfinals exit with a tough 76-78 loss to Suwon KT Sonicboom in Game 5, praising his fellow Filipino and KBL Rookie of the Year JD Cagulangan.
“It was a fun series. We went all the way to Game 5. Just like in college, both teams deserved to win. But it was a great series. I’m super proud of JD. He even won Rookie of the Year. Big congrats to him. It was nice seeing familiar faces again,” said Belangel, who lost to Cagulangan and the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 84 Finals three years ago.
READ: SJ Belangel leads Daegu past Suwon in crucial QF Game 4 win
“Maybe next year we’ll be even better. I’m not totally sure yet since some of our players might leave, they’re free agents. But our core group is still intact, and we’ve got some new guys coming in too. Based on how we played this year, I think we have a good shot, but you never really know what’s gonna happen,” he added.
Belangel, a trailblazer of Filipino imports in South Korea, was happy to see his compatriots–led by Tamayo–thrive in the KBL.
Tamayo, who has powered the LG Sakers to a 3-0 finals series advantage against the Seoul SK Knights, moved a victory away from clinching his second overseas title after winning the B.League crown in 2023 as part of the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
“I’m just really happy. A lot of Filipinos are coming to the KBL now, and they’re playing really well. This season, us Asian Quota players from the Philippines showed what we can do. It’s great to see—not just for Filipino fans, but even KBL fans are starting to notice the impact we’re making,” he said.
READ: KBL: Cagulangan, Suwon join semis cast filled with Filipino imports
The Daegu floor general believes Tamayo will bag the Finals MVP plum after averaging 23.0 points in three games so far in the best-of-seven title series.
“I’m really happy for Carl. We’ve been together for a long time, we even have the same strength and conditioning coach, so I know what he went through in the Japan B.League,” said Belangel. “Now, he’s doing great, he’s just one win away from a championship and possibly being named MVP. Honestly, I think he deserves it. Everyone in the KBL sees that, too. He just has to keep going. He can do it.”
For now, Belangel is enjoying his break with his family back in the Philippines before preparing for the next KBL season.
“I’m just really happy to be back. I got to see my family again after 10 months, eat all the Filipino food I missed, and just enjoy my vacation. It feels great,” he said.
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