After ruling East Asia, Anyang KGC made sure to lord over its domestic league as well.
Rhenz Abando and Anyang KGC outlasted Seoul SK in overtime, taking a 100-97 Game 7 win to rule the 2022-23 Korean Basketball League on Sunday at Anyang Indoor Gymnasium.
This is Anyang’s fourth KBL title, also winning the 2011-12, 2016-17, and 2020-21 seasons. They were foiled by the Knights last season.
Abando, who was the NCAA Season 97 MVP with Letran, went scoreless in the game but still tallied three rebounds, two blocks, an assist, and a steal while guarding the top scorers of Seoul SK.
The first-year pro closed out his first season with Anyang with averages of 8.65 points, 2.69 rebounds, and 0.98 blocks in 49 games played.
Omari Spellman, who will play for Lebanon in the World Cup, led the way for KGC with 34 points and 14 rebounds.
The locals also stepped up with Oh Sekeun finishing with 20 points while Bae Byungjun and Byeon Junhyeong netted 16 apiece.
It was a tough series that saw both squads take turns in getting wins and series leads.
Seoul SK took Game One, 77-69, before Anyang fought back with an 81-67 Game Two win.
SK and KGC exchanged wins in the next two games, with the latter taking Game 3 (81-70) before the former got Games 4 (100-91) and 5 (66-60). Anyang forced Game 7 with an 86-77 win last Friday.
Kim Sunhyung willed Seoul SK in the winner-take-all game with 37 points on 13-of-25 shooting from the field.
Choi Sungwon added 25 markers while Jameel Warney tallied 20 points and 13 rebounds.
With Abando becoming a problem for them in the series, Seoul SK is looking for a Filipino winger to match up with him next season.
