https://m.sports.naver.com/basketball/article/666/0000061453
Sonic Boom, will it end the ‘Asian quota dark history’?… High expectations for Kagulangan
Input 2025.01.07. 3:56 PM
Revised 2025.01.07. 5:33 PM
Original article
30 likes
Text-to-speech service
Change font size
Share
Ildefonso and Panopio, below expectations… Years of struggle as team power not contributing
Interest in reducing Heo Hoon’s burden by recruiting point guard from ‘Philippine University MVP’
Suwon KT Sonic Boom, a professional basketball team, has newly recruited JD Kagulangan (Philippines), who is about to join. Kagulangan SNS capture
Suwon KT Sonic Boom, a professional basketball team, has recruited point guard JD Kagulangan (24), who was the MVP of the Philippine University League, and attention is being paid to whether the Asian quota player, who has been insignificant, will shine.
KT recruited Dave Ildefonso, who was called the ‘Philippine Huh Hoon’, as an Asian quota player in 2023, but fell short of expectations with an average of 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, playing 13 minutes and 14 seconds in 44 games over two seasons.
This season, they recruited Dalph Panopio (Philippines), but the contract was terminated without even being used due to a back injury and lack of skill. In order to avoid repeating the pain, KT selected Kagulangan after a long search. He is currently going through the administrative procedures required for registration, such as visa issuance, and he is expected to join the team soon.
Kagulangan is a short guard with a height of 175 cm, and his strengths include speed, individual skills, and outside shots. He was the MVP of the University of the Philippines (UAAP) and played in 87 games in the UAAP last season, averaging 11.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.
KT expects that if Kagulangan quickly integrates into the team and relieves the burden on ‘ace’ Heo Hoon and creates synergy with the existing players, he will be able to jump to the top ranks and gain momentum for his first challenge for the national championship. In addition, depending on the situation, he can operate the ‘two-guard system’ with Heo Hoon, which will allow for strategic diversification.
KT coach Song Young-jin said, “I know Kagulangan as a player with outstanding individual skills, especially his leading and assisting abilities,” and added, “I expect him to fill in for Heo Hoon, who is not in perfect condition after returning from injury.”
Meanwhile, the Asian quota system introduced in the 2020-2021 season to increase league competitiveness has been well-received for its top-notch skills, with players such as Issun Albano (Wonju DB), SJ Belangel (Daegu Korea Gas Corporation), and Karl Tamayo (Changwon LG), while Kelvin Epistola played a key role in Busan KCC's victory last season.
Fans' expectations are rising as to whether Kagulangan can break KT's 'Asian quota dark history' and be a great addition to the team's strength.
