Korea-bound SJ Belangel proud of Ateneo's World University Basketball championship

SJ Belangel is proud of his former teammates as Ateneo de Manila University won the World University Basketball Series title in Japan on Thursday.

Belangel, who is bound for Korea today, said the title win is proof of the effectiveness of Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin's system.

"Nanonood ako ng game nila [kanina and it] proves na the system is always there, whether or not the players are out, good players are out, maraming bago, the system remains," Belangel said to members of the press in the JG4 Manila Tour at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

"'Yung binuild namin na system ni Coach Tab, whether or not you like it or not, nandun pa rin. Magcha-champion pa rin basta sumunod ka lang," Belangel said.

Ateneo won the championship against Tokai University, 68-59.

Korea-bound

As Belangel begins another chapter of his basketball career, the former Ateneo player said he is excited to be with his new team, the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus.

"Pagdating ko doon, I just have to train pero more on plays pa lang. Next week yata may laro na kami. I might play or not, basta nandun lang ako, tingnan kung anong need ko gawin," said Belangel.

Belangel, who was the first Filipino to sign a deal with a team from the Korean Basketball League, said he and his fellow Korea-bound Filipinos have already thought about their plans when they meet up.

"Sobrang excited ako. Nagkalokohan na kami na every time na bumisita kami sa isang province, manlilibre kami," he said.

Despite being opponents, Belangel said at the end of the day, he and his fellow Filipinos will remain friends.

"Pero even though ganun kami, 'pag magkakalaban kami, walang kaibi-kaibigan. We're there to represent our country, we're there to represent the team pero at the end of the day, we're still friends."

Belangel will be joined by RJ Abarrientos, Justin Gutang, Will Navarro, Ethan Alvano, and Rhenz Abando in the Korean league.

—JMB, GMA News