RJ Abarrientos' Ulsan close to setting up KBL semis date with Rhenz Abando, Anyang

RJ Abarrientos is a win away from setting up a semifinals clash with fellow Filipino import Rhenz Abando as his Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus is currently in a stalemate against Goyang Carrot in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 Korean Basketball League (KBL).

Ulsan had the opportunity to sweep Goyang but they fell in Game 2 in an 86-79 contest on Tuesday night. They dominated Game 1, 86-71, with Abarrientos, who was recently crowned Rookie of the Year, registering nine points, five assists, and three rebounds.

Abarrientos then listed 16 markers, six dimes, and two boards in Game Two but those weren't enough as Ulsan wasted a 14-point lead to allow Goyang to equalize the best-of-three series.

Should Ulsan recover and eventually win the series, it will face Abando and top-seeded Anyang KGC, who qualified for an outright semis slot after finishing the elimination round with a 37-17 win-loss card.

Ulsan closed out the regular season at fourth spot with a 34-20 card.

Ulsan will look to seal their semis ticket come Game Three on Thursday at 6 p.m.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News