Filipino talent took the spotlight at the start of the 2025–2026 Korean Basketball League (KBL) semifinals, with both road teams prevailing in contrasting fashion.
The first semifinal matchup delivered high drama as the Goyang Sono SkyGunners staged a second-half comeback to defeat the top-seeded and defending champions Changwon LG Sakers, 69–63, at Changwon Gymnasium on April 23.
Trailing 36–23 at halftime, Goyang came out energized in the second half as American scoring machine Nathan Knight and Gilas Pilipinas standout Kevin Quiambao led the charge. The SkyGunners tightened their defense, forced crucial stops, and executed timely plays to hand the defending champions an early loss.
Knight posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Quiambao added eight points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and one steal to spark the comeback.
For Changwon LG, Filipino import Carl Tamayo led all scorers with 19 points and kept his team in control early in the game.
In the other semifinal matchup, Busan KCC dominated Anyang Jung Kwan Jang (JKJ) Red Boosters, 91–75, on their home floor at Anyang Gymnasium in Gyeonggi-do.
KCC controlled the game from the opening tip and effectively neutralized Anyang’s Filipino high-flyer Rhenz Abando, who finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and one assist.
Filipino-Greek forward William Navarro, also part of the Busan KCC roster, saw limited minutes and did not record any statistics.
Anyang will host Busan KCC for Game 2 of the semifinals on April 26, while Changwon LG faces Goyang Sono on April 27 at Changwon Gymnasium.
Anyang and Changwon earned the right to host Games 1 and 2 after finishing as the top two teams in the regular season.