Former UST and Letran standout Rhenz Abando put on a show in front of Korean fans with his athletic showing in the dunk contest.
After displaying his high-leaping abilities in the local scene for a couple of years, Rhenz Abando is now showcasing his dunks in Korea and puts on a show to represent Anyang KGC during the 2023 KBL All-Star slam dunk competition, Sunday at Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena.
The Asian import bested Suwon KT Sonicboom’s Ha-Yun-gi (90), Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus’ Choi Jin-soo (89), and Goyang Carrot Jumpers’ Park Jin-cheol to bring home the KRW2 million (P88,000) cash prize.
Abando eased his way into the competition by displaying explosive dunks including a 360 jam to open the contest, and a two-handed baseline offensive pass assist by his fellow Filipino import RJ Abarrientos as reported by Tiebreaker Times.
In the finals during the halftime break of the main event, he attempted a windmill jam, which according to him he has never been successful in doing before but had to do what it takes to win.
And as he worked just like poetry in motion, Abando took the title by producing a double clutch jam for a perfect score of 100, which he received a couple of times throughout the competition.
According to Rappler, Abando also reigned in the 3x3 event with the help of his brothers Ulsan’s Abarrientos and Daegu KOGAS Pegasus’ SJ Belangel, defeating Anyang’s Byeon Jun-hyeong, Goyang’s Lee Jung-hyun, and Seoul SK Knights’ Kim Sun-hyung, 13-7.
Meanwhile, Abarrientos did not get as lucky at the three-point shooting contest after scoring only 13 points in the prelims, while also being only Filipino to play in the main all-star game, tallying three points, three rebounds, and three assists in 14 minute of play to fall against Team Lee Dae-sung, 122-117.
Ha Yoon-Ki of Suwon KT ended up receiving the All-Star Game MVP plum with 28 points after scorching hot from the field with 14-of-17 shooting.
Tags: #KBL, #dunkcontest, #basketball