MANILA – Justin Gutang and Changwon LG Sakers overcame an early deficit to beat Seoul SK Knights, 75-72, in the 2022-2023 Korean Basketball League on Wednesday night at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium.
Gutang, a former College of St. Benilde Blazers player, finished with just one point after splitting his free throws, while also committing one turnover in over a minute of playing time for the LG Sakers.
But Gutang’s limited scoring output hardly mattered for the LG Sakers with Kwanhee Lee, Assem Marei and Lim Dongseop carrying the scoring cudgels on their come-from-behind win.
Lee led the way with 20 points, including five three-point conversions, Marei added double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Lim contributed 11 markers with three outside shots as LG Sakers improved to 23-13 for second place.
The defending champions SK Knights waxed hot early as they built a 21-13 lead and they kept the momentum in the second period as they hang on to a 40-33 advantage at the break.
The LG Sakers slowly made its move in the third quarter as they chopped the deficit to 57-54 courtesy of three-point conversions from Lee and Lim and inside attacks from Marei.
Changwon continued their run in the fourth quarter behind the trio of Marei, Lee and Lim but Seoul attempted to turn things around before the LG Sakers sealed the win on free throws by Lim and Marei.
Jameel Marcus Warney finished with double-double 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Seonhyung Kim contributed 20 markers, including two outside shots, as the SK Knights dropped to 20-16.
Gutang and the LG Sakers will aim for the third straight victory as they battle Ethan Alvano and the streaking Wonju DB Promy on Friday afternoon at the Changwon Gymnasium.
The SK Knights, on the other hand, will hope to return to their winning ways when they face the Goyang Carrot Jumpers on February 5 at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium./PN
