By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Another Filipino is headed to the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Welcome to the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, Miguel Oczon!
Oczon, the superstar shooting guard of the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, will forego his remaining eligible playing years in the NCAA and turn professional confirmed last December 6, 2023.
The veteran sniper still had two more remaining years to play in the NCAA but already decided to suit up for the professional hoops club in Korea.
Oczon is coming off a heartbreaking NCAA playoff loss and failed to repeat a grand finals contention in this year’s men’s collegiate basketball tournament.
Weeks after contemplating, Oczon was firm with his decision to join the pool of young Filipino stars currently earning their much-deserved basketball breaks in Korea.
Oczon will seek to fill the shoes of former UAAP star and Gilas mainstay RJ Abarrientos who was the past Asian import of Ulsan Hyundai.
After winning Rookie of the Year honors, Abarrientos signed with the Shinsu Brave Warriors of the Japan Basketball League.
Oczon will be joining Rhenz Abando, Dave Ildefonso, Justin Gutang, Juan Gomez de Liaño, SJ Belangel, Ethan Alvano, and Calvin Epistola as the only Filipino imports currently playing in the KBL.
With Oczon’s absence in the next campaign of the Benilde Blazers in the NCAA, head coach Charles Tiu and the rest of the staff will have tough choices to make if they want the school to contend again for a championship.
