MANILA – Justin Gutang made some crucial passes in the endgame as Changwon LG Sakers pulled off a come-from-behind 82-81 victory over Wonju DB Promy in the 2022-2023 Korean Basketball League on Tuesday night at the Wonju Sports Complex.
Down 77-81 with over a minute left, Gutang found Lee Kwan-hee, who was fouled while attempting from three-point area. The Korean cager drilled two of his three free throws to cut the deficit to 79-81.
After a missed shot by Filipino-American Ethan Alvano of Wonju, the LG Sakers regained the ball possession and Gutang passed the ball to Jung Hee-jae, who made the go-ahead triple with 45 seconds left.
The Promy had numerous opportunities to steal the victory but basket attempts from Alvano, Park In-woong and Kang Sang-jae were thwarted by the tough defense of the LG Sakers.
Gutang, a former standout of College of St. Benilde Blazers, finished the game with eight points, eight assists and two rebounds as the LG Sakers stayed at second place with a 19-12 record.
Kim Jun-il led the way for the Cho Sang-yun-mentored LG Sakers with 18 markers, Assem Marei chipped in 17 markers to go with nine rebounds, while Lee contributed 13 markers.
It was a sorry defeat, however, for Alvano and the Promy as the Filipino-American gunner’s 14-point effort, including two outside conversions, went to waste with the come-from-behind defeat.
Dewan Hernandez led the way with 16 points, all from the two-point area, Lennard Freeman had double-double 10 points and 16 rebounds, while Park In-woong also had 10 markers as the Promy dropped to 12-20 record.
Gutang and the LG Sakers will look to continue their winning streak as they face Negrense Samjosef Belangel and the Daegu Korean Gas Corporation Pegasus on January 20 at the Changwon Stadium.
Alvano and DB Promy, on the other hand, aim to return to their winning ways as they battle the streaking Goyang Carrot Jumpers at seven in the evening tonight at Goyang Stadium./PN
