By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino rising star Rhenz Abando bagged his first-ever professional basketball championship title following Korean Basketball Club (KBL) Anyang KGC’s domination during the recently concluded East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week last March 5, 2023, held in Okinawa, Japan.
Abando and his team nipped their fellow KBL squad Seoul SK, 90-84, during the grand finals duel of the EASL tourney.
With their victory, Anyang KGC took home a total of $250,000 (13,775,375 pesos) and ended their convincing campaign with an undefeated record.
Abando played big when Anyang needed him the most and finished the all-KBL clash with 11 points including a momentum-boosting dunk that again made the EASL highlight reel.
The high-flying combo guard who delivered a championship to the Letran Knights before flying to Korea waxed hot in the second quarter and helped Anyang protect their early lead.
Former NBA center Omari Spellman continued his majestic outing after leading the KBL club with another double-double performance of 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Spellman’s consistent outing during the EASL Champions Week helped him garner the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Abando & Anyang had a hot start during the EASL kick-off including a 55-point mauling of the PBA Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen last week, 142-87.
Abando got the better of his ‘kuyas’ who became Anyang’s second-best scorer during the game with 22 points built from 9/15 shooting from the field.
After the EASL tournament, Abando & Anyang will look to go back to the drawing board as they resume their quest for a KBL title.
