SJ Belangel of the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus. Daegu KOGAS Pegasus/Instagram

MANILA, Philippines – For SJ Belangel, it is important to perform well in the Korean Basketball League because he is representing the Philippines in his own way.

Belangel, who joined the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in 2022, continues to make waves as his team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 KBL season.

But they fell short against a familiar face in JD Cagulangan, losing to the Suwon KT Sonicboom in five games.

READ: SJ Belangel happy to see JD Cagulangan, Carl Tamayo shine in KBL

While they exited the competition earlier than he would have wanted, the former Ateneo de Manila University standout said he had already adjusted, moving on from his condition from last year to improve his body.

"It’s my first time being conditioned. 'Yung condition ko, iba talaga this season. Iniba ko talaga from last year. So, which is nag-work. For me, tinutuloy tuloy ko lang 'yun," said Belangel at the sidelines of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippine Qualifiers at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Building my body and at the same time, my performance while representing the Philippines. That’s what’s more important than me in there na naglalaro," the former UAAP men's basketball champion added.

"For me, it’s being able to represent the country, 'yun talaga 'yung pinakaimportante sa 'kin."

READ: KBL: JD Cagulangan is Rookie of the Year, Carl Tamayo in Mythical 5

Belanged was still hopeful that they will perform better next season. Although, he is bracing for some roster changes as the team enters the off-season.

READ: SJ Belangel off to Korea to join Daegu KOGAS

"Siguro next year, we’re gonna be good. But I don’t know yet because there are some players na mawawala sa 'min, maybe, maybe, because they’re FA (free agents)… But the core is still there," said Belangel.

"At the same time, there’s new people coming. So I don’t know yet, but I think we’re gonna go strong based on our performance this year but we never know what the future will be."