Former UAAP stars shine as Abando, Cagulangan, and Tamayo power KBL squads to victories

Former UAAP standouts continued to make their mark on foreign soil as Filipino imports delivered impactful performances across the Korean Basketball League (KBL) this week.

Rhenz Abando, JD Cagulangan, and Carl Tamayo each guided their squads to key victories, showing how Filipino talent continues to thrive in one of Asia’s premier basketball stages.

Former finalist with the University of Santo Tomas, Abando helped lift the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters to their third straight win, edging Busan KCC Egis, 60–57, at the Anyang JKJ Arena. The high-flying Gilas Pilipinas wing contributed 12 points, four rebounds, and a steal as Anyang seized the top spot in the standings with a 6–2 record. 

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well executed play. LG Coach Cho Sang-hyun brilliant play featuring Carl Tamayo

타마요#CarlTamayo #Tamayo #kbl pic.twitter.com/mvxl9UmDaO

— 칼타마요#GilasPilipinas (@gilas_mayo) October 20, 2025

Over in Suwon, UAAP Season 87 Finals MVP, JD Cagulangan continued his steady rise, chipping in 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals to steer his squad to back-to-back victories, improving to 5–2 in the standings.

Meanwhile another UP Fighting Maroon in Carl Tamayo led the charge for the Changwon LG Sakers, erupting for 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in their second straight win—a 76–68 home triumph over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus—to improve to 5–2.

Fellow Filipino and former Ateneo Blue Eagle, SJ Belangel tallied eight points off two triples, alongside four assists and two steals for still-winless Daegu (0–7). 

To round up all the Filipino performances was Ethan Alvano who dropped 30 points, six rebounds, and four assists, with a couple of steals for Wonju but still dropped to a 4-4 win-loss record. 

As the KBL season heats up, the Filipino contingent continues to draw attention—not only for their talent but also for the grit and competitiveness they’ve brought from their UAAP roots to the international stage. 

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