Abando gains more from Anyang’s 55-point rout of San Miguel

OKINAWA, JAPAN—Anyang KGC made San Miguel Beer look helpless in a 55-point rout of Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup champions in the East Asian Super League on Saturday night here and Filipino player Rhenz Abando played as an import. South Korean side, got a personal win in a blowout.

The Beermen were not a threat in the 142-87 thrashing used in the Okinawa Arena, but Abando admitted that he had a hard time dealing with some individual San Miguel standouts-especially CJ Perez.

Perez had 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists and was the Beermen’s best local player in both of their losses.

Guarding Perez gives Abando a new experience to learn from as he still tries to adjust to life in South Korea while playing as an Asian import.

“I really committed all three of my mistakes to him,” the former Letran ace told reporters in a mix of Filipino and English. “All I can say is it’s a lot different going against a pro who’s been playing for a long time. He’s just smarter, more talented. And he knows how and when to use his body.

Despite struggling defensively, Abando shined on the other end with 22 points on nine-for-15 shooting from the field.

“Also, he really knows how to be efficient on the court. You see that in him (Perez), he is a leader [San Miguel] in the game,” he continued.

Much more to give

Abando said he will soak up all those lessons like a sponge as he tries to blossom into a star in South Korea.

“I haven’t set my style of play yet,” he said. “I still can’t get into the flow of the team, especially defensively. So I wouldn’t say I have.” [adapted].”

He insists he is still not at his best, but Abando continues to impress with his play for the leaders of the Korea Basketball League (KBL).

In one of the Inquirer’s conversations with a South Korean reporter covering Champions Week, someone said “Leave the good.” Earlier in the tournament, Anyang’s own coach, Kim Sang-shik, continued to pin the hopes of his squad in the Philippines from Santo Tomas, La Union.

“He’s done a good job of scoring the ball and getting rebounds [with his] strength,” he said with the help of a translator. “He’ll get better, too.”

Perez, who also grew up in Northern Luzon, is excited about Abando’s future.

“I am proud of how it has been activated,” said the San Miguel guard. “I just hope that he can continue to play in Korea. As a fellow Ilocano, I would love to see him play at a high level.

“Very,” he said when asked how skilled Abando was. INQ

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