Basketball

Your Guide To The Filipino Imports In The Korean Basketball League

By RJ Ballecer - January 14, 2025

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 

SJ Belangel, one of the Filipino players in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
(Photo Credit: Daegu KOGAS Pegasus on Instagram)

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

Justin Gutang, one of the Filipino players in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
(Photo Credit: Seoul Samsung Thunders on Instagram)

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 

Ethan Alvano, one of the Filipino players in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
(Photo Credit: Wonju DB Promy on Instagram)

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. 

Calvin Epistola, Busan KCC Egis

Calvin Epistola, one of the Filipino players in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
(Photo Credit: Busan KCC Egis on Instagram)

Reigning KBL champions Busan KCC Egis feature Filipino-Canadian guard Calvin Epistola in his third year with the team. Epistola’s career numbers of 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds, though, fail to highlight the hustle and grit he reportedly brings to the defending KBL champs. 

Miguel Oczon, Ulsan Mobis Hyundai Phoebus 

(Photo Credit: Ulsan Hyundai Mobius Phoebus on Instagram)

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.

Juan Gomez de Liaño, Seoul SK Knights

(Photo Credit: Seoul SK Knights on Instagram)

After career stops in the B.League and Lithuania, former UP prodigy Juan Gomez de Liaño is now in Korea with the Seoul SK Knights. Better days may still be ahead for Juan GDL, who continues to deal with limited minutes with the Knights.

Juan, however, has spent some time in Seoul SK’s KBL D-League team, where he averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in four games between November 11 to December 23 last year. 

It’s worth noting that Juan’s first KBL season abruptly ended due to a finger injury last March 2024, which could also factor into his short D-League stint and limited playing time for the 2024-2025 season. 

Carl Tamayo, Changwon LG Sakers

(Photo Credit: Changwon LG Sakers on Instagram)

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. 

Javi Gomez de Liaño, Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

(Photo Credit: Anyang Jung Kwang Jang Red Boosters on Facebook)

Javi Gomez de Liaño replaces high-flyer Rhenz Abando in Anyang and brings a resume that includes a one-year stay in the Japan B.League, and a recent two-year stop with Terrafirma in the PBA. 

The elder GDL is currently averaging 6.5 points and 1.8 rebounds for Anyang, which includes double-digit scoring games when given ample playing time. For instance, there’s his career-best of 17 points in about 25 minutes played last October 4 against Tamayo’s Changwon squad. 

JD Cagulangan, Suwon KT Sonicboom

(Photo Credit: Suwon KT Sonicboom on Facebook)

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

(Photo Credit: UAAP Media Bureau)

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.

Related Stories