Abando budding Korean league star

UTSONOMIYA – Rhenz Abando is making waves in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) and his coach Kim Sang Shik said he’s destined to enjoy a long career with Anyang KGC (Korean Ginseng Corp.). “It’s up to Rhenz if he wants to stay (after his contract expires),” said Shik before Anyang played the Taipei Fubon Braves in the EASL Champions Week at the Nikkan Arena in this Japanese city known for its fried dumplings or “gyoza” last Wednesday. “He’s young (24), athletic, skilled and he’ll keep improving because he works hard. He can hit the three, drive inside, rebound, play defense and pass. And he just won the KBL Slam Dunk championship.”

Abando said he’s grateful for the opportunity to play overseas. The former UST and Letran standout is the second highest-paid Filipino import in the KBL, earning $181,539 (P10 million) a year. The other Filipino imports are Dave Ildefonso ($190,839), Justin Gutang ($163,155), Ethan Alvano ($153,198), RJ Abarrientos ($147,836) and SJ Belangel ($101,110). Fil-Canadian Calvin Espitola was signed to a $26,717 contract for 156 days as he joined Jeonju KCC Egis mid-season.

Anyang has won three KBL titles and was runner-up to the Seoul SK Knights last campaign but this season, it’s leading the league with a 33-11 record. In the KBL, a team may enlist two imports but only one plays at a time. Anyang’s imports are Darryl Monroe of George Mason University and Omar Spellman of Villanova. Spellman, 25, was Atlanta’s first round pick in the 2018 NBA draft and has played for the Hawks and Golden State. He moved to Anyang in his first overseas stint last year. Monroe, 37, played in the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Israel and Turkey before joining Anyang. Because Spellman averages 32.1 minutes a game, Monroe hardly has playing time, logging 9.6 minutes. But in the EASL where two imports are allowed to play together, Monroe finally has a chance for more floor burn.

Against Fubon, Monroe collected 21 points, 21 rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes as Anyang beat the Braves, 94-69. Monroe shot 76.9 percent from the field. Spellman had 22 points and seven boards in 37:31 minutes. Abando compiled 11 points, four rebounds and two steals in 19:39 minutes. Both Monroe and Spellman said Abando has the potential to become a star. Monroe said Korea will likely be his final basketball stop but his collegiate teammate Gabe Norwood said why not try the PBA. Monroe, who’s 6-8, said nothing is set in stone. “I love Korea and I think it’s where I’ll end my career,” he said. Spellman said playing in the NBA was an experience of a lifetime with teammates like Trae Young, Steph Curry and Dreymond Green.