By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kevin Quiambao’s debut in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) proved bittersweet as it was cut short by an apparent injury in the Goyong Sono Skygunners’ 84-57 defeat to the Seoul SK Knights Sunday, Jan. 12.
Though the 23-year-old Quiambao played only seven minutes, the two-time UAAP MVP winner showed he has what it takes to make it big in the league by tallying six points and one rebound.
What appeared to be a promising start ended disappotingly when Quiambao fell after his left foot landed on his opponent’s foot after a 3-point attempt at the 7:42 mark in the second frame.
Quiambao was not fielded back to the game so as not to aggravate the injury.
Meantime, former UP standouts JD Cagulangan and Carl Tamayo face each other when their teams – Suwon KT Sonicboom (15-12) and Changwon LG Sakers (15-13) – clash on Monday night.
Cagulangan made heads turn in his debut by posting seven points, four rebounds, nine assists and five steals in Sonicboom’s 78-63 loss to the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Meanwhile, Koshigaya Alphas outlasted the Chiba Jets in overtime, 91-89, in a win they immediately offered to injured star Kai Sotto in the Japan B.League.
Soichiro Inoue, who dropped 17 points including the game-winning jumper, dedicated the win to Sotto, who is out throughout the whole season after sustaining an ACL injury.
He wore Sotto’s jersey No. 11 after his heroics.
