The Korean Basketball League has started to welcome more and more of the Philippines’ brightest basketball talents.
Along with the Japan B. League, the Korean Basketball League has become a source of overseas opportunities for some of the Philippines’ top basketball players.
A total of 10 Pinoy players are currently plying their trade in the KBL, which now includes UAAP stars Kevin Quiambao and JD Cagulangan, following their Season 87 men’s basketball finals rematch last December.
If you need a guide for the 10-man contingent in Korea, we’ve got you covered.
SJ Belangel, Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
Similar to Thirdy Ravena in the B.League, former Ateneo guard SJ Belangel is the trailblazing Filipino import in the KBL. Belangel was snapped up by the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in 2022 following a fruitful three-year career under Tab Baldwin’s dynastic Blue Eagles program.
Belangel is in the midst of a breakout season with Daegu, as he recently set career-highs of 36 points and eight assists against the Seoul Samsung Thunders last January 6. With a refined scoring and playmaking touch, Belangel is averaging career-highs of 14.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals across 27 out of 54 games played in his third year.
The 25-year-old was also voted into the 2025 KBL All-Star Game, which acts as another testament of his growth within the Korean basketball scene.
Justin Gutang, Seoul Samsung Thunders
After two seasons with Changwon LG, former St. Benilde stalwart Justin Gutang now takes his act to the Seoul Samsung Thunders. Gutang is coming off a sophomore leap with Changwon LG, where he averaged career-highs of 8.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 53 regular season games played.
One of the first Filipino KBL imports, the high-leaping Gutang maintains his role as a steady contributor for Seoul Samsung as they seek to improve from their 10th-place finish during the 2023-2024 season.
Much like Belangel, Gutang will make an appearance in the 2025 KBL All-Star Game after being tapped as an injury-replacement player.
Ethan Alvano, Wonju DB Promy
Twenty-eight-year-old Ethan Alvano is coming off a historic 2023-2024 season, where he became the first non-Korean player to win the KBL MVP award. The Filipino-American guard led Wonju DB’s top-seeded finish last season, averaging 15.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in all 54 regular season games played en route to the playoffs. While they bowed out in the semifinals, it was clear that the Promy had found a gem in the 28-year-old lefty.
Alvano remains with Wonju for the 2024-2025 KBL season and is on pace to improve his MVP-year stats. Through 28 regular season games, Alvano is putting up a career-best 16.8 points, 5.6 assists, and two steals for the current sixth-seed Wonju.
The veteran lefty’s impressive play also landed him a slot in the 2025 KBL All-Star Game, joining Belangel and Gutang for the mid-season festivities.
William Navarro, Busan KCC Egis
Three years since a botched move to the Seoul Samsung Thunder, William Navarro is now Korea-bound as he joins the Busan KCC Egis for the 2026 season. Fresh off a PBA Philippine Cup stint with Magnolia and Northport, the lanky Navarro replaces Calvin Epistola as the team’s Asian import.
Miguel Oczon, Ulsan Mobis Hyundai Phoebus
Another ex-St. Benilde standout, sniper Miguel Oczon is now in his second year with the Ulsan Mobis Hyundai Phoebus. His current averages of 5.5 points across 28 games may look modest, but Oczon has shown flashes of his game translating well in the Korean league.
Just last January 5, the 24-year-old set a new career-best of 31 points built on six triples in a close loss to the Seoul SK Knights despite fluctuating minutes within the rotation.
Arvin Tolentino, Seoul SK Knights
Former NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino replaces Juan Gomez de Liaño as the Seoul SK Knights’ Asian import after emerging as the go-to guy for Batang Pier. Tolentino was coming off a career-best Commissioners’ Cup campaign by the time he jumped ship to Korea, averaging a career-best f 23.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game for his first Best Player of the Conference award.
Carl Tamayo, Changwon LG Sakers
Following an unproductive stint in the B.League, Carl Tamayo seems to have found a better fit with the Changwon LG Sakers. The six-foot-eight forward’s finesse has been showcased in the Korean circuit, as seen with his averages of 15 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26 games played with his new team.
Just last January 10, Tamayo had a career game of 37 points on an efficient 17-of-19 shooting paired with seven rebounds in a 92-88 loss to Seoul Samsung. While his efforts went for naught, Tamayo’s scoring tear is still the most points scored by a Filipino import since Belangel’s arrival in 2022.
Rhenz Abando, Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
Taking the place of Javi Gomez de Liaño in Anyang is Rhenz Abando, who returns for a second tour of duty with the Red Boosters. Abando is out for unfinished business with Anyang, where he won a KBL championship during the 2023 season.
JD Cagulangan, Suwon KT Sonicboom
Season 87 Finals MVP JD Cagulangan becomes Suwon KT’s latest Asian Quota player following ex-Ateneo wing Dave Ildefonso and Cal State Bakersfield guard Dalph Panopio.
Cagulangan is only two games into his KBL debut as of writing, but has already impressed with seven points, nine assists, and five steals against Seoul Samsung last January 11. And if his opening act is any indication, Suwon might have finally gotten the perfect Asian import for head coach Song Young-jin’s system.
Kevin Quiambao, Goyang Sono Skygunners
Unfortunately, Kevin Quiambao’s much-anticipated debut with the Goyang Sono Skygunners was cut short by a right ankle injury last January 12. The two-time UAAP MVP finished with six points on 2-of-5 shooting in his KBL debut, before suffering a bad landing off a three-point attempt in the second quarter.
KQ’s return to action remains uncertain, but he’ll nonetheless be expected to boost the Skygunners once he finds his stride. After all, KQ has already showcased his impressive feel for the game with DLSU, along with the ability to spread his impact on and off the stat sheet.
Banner images courtesy of the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, Suwon KT Sonicboom, and Changwon LG Sakers on Facebook and Instagram.