On a night when most expected the surging Seoul SK Knights to extend their impressive winning streak, the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus delivered a performance that flipped the script—and perhaps the KBL playoff race—on its head. In front of a lively home crowd at Daegu Gymnasium on February 19, 2026, Korea Gas Corporation snapped both their own three-game losing streak and SK’s six-game run, prevailing 86-80 in a contest packed with drama, grit, and unexpected heroes.
Heading into the matchup, few would have pegged Korea Gas Corporation, languishing at the bottom of the standings with a 12-30 record, as the team to halt SK’s charge. The Knights, boasting a 27-15 record and riding high on momentum, seemed destined to keep climbing. But basketball, as ever, is a game of runs, resilience, and the occasional upset.
Sam Joseph Bellangel, Korea Gas Corporation’s dynamic guard, was the undisputed star of the night. Bellangel poured in a team-high 27 points, including four three-pointers, and set the tempo early with a 12-point outburst in the first quarter. By halftime, he’d already stacked up 17 points, helping his squad to a slender 45-42 lead at the break. "Bellangel really kept us afloat when SK was making their push," said head coach Kang Hyuk, whose tactical adjustments in the second quarter proved pivotal. The coach’s decision to tighten defensive rotations and trust his bench paid dividends, especially with key players like center Kim Jun-il and forward Jeon Hyun-woo sidelined by injury.
It wasn’t a one-man show, though. Veteran big man Ra Gun-ah showed why he remains one of the most reliable imports in KBL history, finishing with a double-double: 15 points and 13 rebounds. His most electrifying moment came midway through the third quarter. With the game tied at 53, Ra Gun-ah drilled back-to-back three-pointers, swinging momentum firmly in Daegu’s favor and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. "We just kept fighting," Ra Gun-ah reflected after the game. "We knew we had to match SK’s energy and outwork them on the boards."
The supporting cast stepped up as well, with domestic players Kim Min-gyu and Shin Ju-young each contributing 11 points, and Shin Seung-min chipping in 10. Benny Boatwright added 12 points off the bench, providing crucial minutes when the starters needed rest. Notably, Shin Seung-min reached a personal milestone, surpassing 1,600 career points—a testament to his consistency and longevity in the league.
For SK, the loss was a gut punch. Their vaunted offense sputtered at critical junctures, despite strong efforts from An Young-jun (23 points) and foreign ace Jamil Wonnie (20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists). Rookie sensation Eddie Daniel also impressed with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block, not to mention five offensive boards—a glimpse of his burgeoning potential. Yet, SK’s supporting cast struggled to find rhythm, and their usually reliable Asian quota player Alvin Tolentino was limited to just 8 points.
The contest opened with both teams trading three-pointers and fast-break buckets. SK edged the first quarter 27-26, thanks to early scoring from Daniel and sharp outside shooting by Tolentino and Wonnie. Korea Gas Corporation, however, responded in the second quarter with a 10-0 run, led by Bellangel’s perimeter marksmanship and Kim Min-gyu’s hustle on the glass. By halftime, Daegu had wrestled back control, setting the stage for a tense second half.
SK briefly seized the lead early in the third quarter, as O Jae-hyeon and An Young-jun ignited a spurt that had the visitors up by a whisker. But that’s when Ra Gun-ah’s heroics and Bellangel’s steady hand took over. By the end of the third, Korea Gas Corporation had built a 67-60 cushion.
The Knights weren’t done yet. Down by as many as ten, they clawed back in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to just three points behind a flurry of baskets from An Young-jun and Wonnie. But each time SK threatened, Korea Gas Corporation found an answer. With two minutes left, Shin Ju-young buried a clutch three-pointer from the wing, stretching the lead to 83-75 and effectively sealing the outcome. SK’s last-ditch efforts were thwarted by composed free-throw shooting from Shin Seung-min and disciplined defense that forced tough shots and turnovers.
Statistically, the numbers told the story. Korea Gas Corporation outrebounded SK 37-28, a key factor in limiting second-chance opportunities for the Knights. The hosts also showcased balanced scoring, with five players in double figures, and shot efficiently from beyond the arc—hitting timely threes in every quarter. SK, on the other hand, struggled to convert in the clutch, and their bench production lagged behind Daegu’s reserves.
The result had immediate implications for the league standings. Korea Gas Corporation, now 13-30, pulled even with Seoul Samsung for 9th place, while SK slipped from joint 2nd to sole 3rd at 27-16, just half a game behind AnYang Jung KwanJang and now looking nervously over their shoulder at 4th place Wonju DB. The playoff race has rarely looked tighter, with every win and loss magnified in these final weeks of the regular season.
Elsewhere in the league, Goyang Sono made headlines by dispatching Seoul Samsung 86-64, notching their third consecutive victory and moving to 20-23, just a game behind 6th place Suwon KT in the playoff hunt. Sono’s balanced attack, led by Kevin Kembao (20 points), Lee Jung-hyun (16 points, 8 assists), and Im Dong-seop (14 points, 4 three-pointers), overwhelmed a shorthanded Samsung squad missing key forward Lee Won-seok due to injury.
Back in Daegu, the mood was jubilant but measured. Coach Kang Hyuk praised his team’s resilience: "We’ve faced a lot of adversity this season, but tonight the guys showed what they’re capable of when they play together and trust each other." Bellangel, ever the professional, added, "It’s just one win, but it means a lot for our confidence. We’ll keep fighting for every game."
With the regular season barreling toward its conclusion, the KBL landscape has shifted once again. Korea Gas Corporation’s upset over SK serves as a vivid reminder: in this league, there are no easy nights, and every team, no matter their record, has the potential to shake up the standings. Fans can only wait with bated breath to see which twists and turns await in the coming weeks.