By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino young hoops superstar Rhenz Abando just showed why he is worth every single penny.
Despite being a first-timer in the international professional basketball scene, the former NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and champion played like a veteran and exploded for 30 big points last December 18, 2022, in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Abando was lights out from the three-point range after torching the Seoul SK Knights with five drained shots from downtown out of his seven total attempts.
Aside from his efficient three-point shooting, the former Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team small forward filled the stat sheets with six rebounds, two blocks, and two assists.
The whole Anyang KGC squad was rolling in the first three quarters, thanks to Abando’s new career-high in offense as he embarrassed every Seoul defender thrown at him.
Abando’s 30-point game was built from an impressive 10/16 shooting from the field and became the focal point of Anyang’s offense when he got going midway through the first quarter.
The former star of the Letran Knights also hosted a block party in the second quarter. Abando bagged two highlight plays during a back-to-back blocking stretch that put the whole crowd on their feet in excitement.
However, despite Abando’s superb performance, the Anyang squad still lost at the hands of the SK Knights, 82-81.
Anyang had the chance to tie the ball game at 82-all but Abando only connected two of his three total attempts in the charity stripe after getting fouled in the rainbow country.
Meanwhile, Justin Gutang, another Pinoy acquired in the KBL as an Asian import, dazzled for the Changwon LG Sakers and helped them clinch a 79-73 win over the Goyang Carrot Jumpers.
The former College of Saint Benilde (CSB) main gunner finished the ball game with 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
