Rhenz Abando’s collegiate stint may have been short-lived, but it was exactly what helped forge a path to his successful overseas career. After winning the rookie-MVP award in the NCAA and leading the Letran Knights to a championship title, the 25-year-old guard decided to take his act to the pro rank in the Korean Basketball League. *Rhenz Abando of the Anyang KGC. (Anyang KGC on Facebook)*


Abando was first recruited by the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers under then head coach Aldin Ayo and saw action in the UAAP for a single season before making the move to the Letran Knights camp previously coached by Bonnie Tan. “Sobrang laking bagay kasi kung hindi ako nag-college dito, hindi ako nakapag-aral lalo na sa UST, di ako makikilala sa Letran [at] kung hindi ako nag-champion, hindi ako mabibigyan ng opportunity para makapaglaro overseas. So napalaking bagay, sobrang laking part ng college career ko kung anong meron ako ngayon,” said the 2021-2022 Collegiate Press Corps Basketball Player of the Year awardee. In his first year with the Anyang KGC, Abando copped his maiden professional career win following a hard-fought seven-game series against the Seoul SK Knights. “Sobrang hirap pero sobrang memorable [ng finals series] kasi decades na ‘yong nakalipas [noong last na] umabot ‘yong [title fight] ng Game 7 sa KBL,” Abando said. Abando saw action in limited minutes in the playoffs which Anyang finished as the top seed to advance straight to the semifinals. However, Abando always made up for the slack in quality minutes once given. “Ang goal ko siguro [pagbalik ko next season sa KBL] as an individual maging mas consistent. Noong semifinals namin prinedict ng coach namin na mag-under perform ako kaya off the bench lang ako. Ni-ready ko na lang ‘yong mind ko against SK sa finals kasi alam ko kaya ko mag-perform doon eh,” he added. In Game 2 of the finals, Abando scattered an all-around performance of 18 points, four rebounds and three assists as Anyang tied the series, which was then followed by a team-high 22 points on four triples as a starter in Game 4. Anyang, though, found itself trailing 3-2 in the series, but Abando came through with a clutch and-one game to help the team recover in Game 6 and force a sudden death. The 6-foot-2 Abando was also hailed as the 2023 KBL Slam Dunk king and 3x3 All-Star Game champion. With the first of his two-year deal done with Anyang, Abando eyes longer playing time in the next season as they defend the championship title.