Juan Gomez de Liano. Photo from Seoul SK Knights
MANILA, Philippines — Juan Gomez De Liaño had a winning 2023-24 Korean Basketball League debut as the Seoul SK Knights took down Rhenz Abando and the defending champion Anyang KGC, 89-74.
Gomez de Liaño delivered eight points, five rebounds, and three steals in 20 minutes of action, providing the spark off the bench in his game against the Gilas Pilipinas guard Abando, who played in the Fiba World Cup 2023 in Manila a month ago.
American import Jameel Warney exploded for 46 points and 11 rebounds to lead Seoul to an impressive opening-day win.
Abando, though, got the better of his fellow Filipino import as he finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and one block in 27 minutes of play, but De Liaño got the last laugh after Anyang opened its title-retention campaign off on the wrong foot.
Darryl Monroe led Anyang with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting to go with six rebounds and two assists.
SJ Belangel. Photo from Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
Meanwhile, SJ Belangel’s 20-point explosion went for naught after the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus absorbed an 87-62 loss to Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
Belangel shot 9-of-11 from the field and grabbed four rebounds in the first game of his second KBL season only to lose on the road.
Kim Gook-Chan powered Ulsan with 17 points to dominate the Filipino guard and Daegu.
Dave Ildefonso only played one minute and 33 seconds with one turnover but Suwon KT Sonic Boom beat Changwon LG Sakers, 71-66, at Jamsil Gym.
Ha Yoon Gi led Suwon with 20 points and five rebounds, while Paris Bass had 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
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Justin Gutang was also scoreless with two rebounds in six minutes of playing time to start his second season in South Korea.