IT WAS in the Gilas Pilipinas against South Korea International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers match where Samjosef “SJ” Belangel made arguably the most iconic shot in Philippine international basketball history.
In his path to becoming a Gilas icon, Belangel developed from a highly touted Bacolod recruit into a focal point for Ateneo in multiple University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball championships.
Bona fide prodigy
After first playing in Bacolod, the future star would make a name for himself in St. Joseph School Iloilo with a 99-point outburst in an Under-13 league game. In the eighth grade, Belangel returned to Bacolod and continued exhibiting his scoring prowess through 85-point and 65-point outings with Tay Tung High School.
The Bacolodnon’s prolific scoring and natural feel for the game eventually caught the eye of Ateneo High School coach Joe Silva. Belangel—ironically from a La Sallian family—turned down offers from La Salle Greenhills and De La Salle Zobel to become a Blue Eaglet. For him, the decision ultimately came down to academics.
“Pumunta talaga ako [sa Ateneo] for academics. Gusto ko makapagtapos and matulungan yung family ko sa academics man or basketball (I went to Ateneo for academics. I want to help my family, may it be through academics or basketball),” he said.
Making waves in the UAAP
In ninth grade, Belangel moved to Manila with his family to pursue his Atenean basketball dream. The transition period that followed was a significant challenge to Belangel’s growth, exacerbated by UAAP residency rules that forced him to miss out on the Blue Eaglets’ Season 77 Juniors’ Championship. Seasons 78 and 79—SJ’s first two seasons for the Eaglets—would be challenges of their own as they failed to get past the semifinals.
In his senior year of high school, a determined SJ would earn his place in the Mythical Five as he averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in Season 80. Belangel led the Blue Eaglets to the hilltop with its 19th Juniors’ Championship before committing to stay home in Ateneo for college. “Napamahal ako sa system and culture ng Ateneo (I fell in love with Ateneo’s system and culture),” he said.
Belangel’s minutes were limited as a rookie. However, he would be instrumental for the Blue Eagles in the deciding Game 2 of the Season 81 Finals against the University of the Philippines. In the first quarter, he ignited a 7-0 run which swung the momentum for Ateneo, ultimately securing the Blue and White’s second straight title.
Come Season 82, Belangel furthered his stellar efficiency, averaging 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 40.5% shooting from three in just under 12 minutes of playing time. His impressive season gave him his first-ever UAAP Player of the Week Award.
The Blue Eagle impressed yet again in Game 2 of the Finals against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, recording his Seniors’ Division career-high of 15 points—all from three—to propel the Blue Eagles to its historic three-peat. For Belangel his improvement from Season 81 to 82 can be credited to the system and mentorship that he received while under Coach Tab Baldwin’s tutelage.
Gilas stint
After impressing with the Blue Eagles, Belangel landed a spot in Baldwin’s final 12-man Gilas Pilipinas squad for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. In Gilas’ fourth game of the qualifiers and first match-up against South Korea, the Atenean seized the opportunity to make his mark on Philippine basketball through one of the most iconic shots in Gilas history.
Tied at 78-all, Gilas needed one more prayer to seal the win. According to Belangel, the play was originally designed for Carl Tamayo to shoot in the middle. “‘Di agad napasa ni Dwight [Ramos] so naiwan ako na papasahan since ako yung nasa pinakamalapit na side (Dwight Ramos wasn’t able to pass immediately so I was left open as I was on the near side).”
Seeing the initial play broken, Belangel decided to take matters into his own hands.
With 2.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Belangel caught an inbound pass from Ramos in the right wing, inches away from stepping out of bounds. After dribbling to his left, the 5’10” Belangel pump-faked the towering 6’6” South Korean Seounghyun Lee—prompting the big man to jump for the block. Belangel had to adjust his already awkward position and went on to shoot an off-balance three to the right of Lee’s outstretched left hand.
As he released the ball, Belangel called bank. “Nung pagka-shot fake ko, sobrang hirap na ng angle ko naisip ko lang talaga na i-board ko yung tira (When I faked the shot, the angle was already hard so I thought to shoot it through the board).”
And the bank was open. As the buzzer sounded, Belangel’s three-point heave graciously kissed the backboard into the net, bringing the whole Philippines to a frenzy as Gilas Pilipinas triumphed 81-78.
The historic shot secured Gilas a spot in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. “Proud ako kasi hindi lang ako ang nanalo, buong Pilipinas yung nanalo (I’m proud because it wasn’t just me who won, the whole Philippines won),” shared the two-time UAAP Seniors’ division champion. Belangel proved to be a crucial player in his debut stint with Gilas Pilipinas, averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and two assists.
A legacy being built
Following his excellent performances with Gilas Pilipinas, Belangel looks forward to finally resuming play in the UAAP. Now a senior, Belangel continues to improve on his game and is hoping to impart his experience onto his teammates.
“Gusto ko na ako naman magturo. Dati, you learn from your kuyas, ngayon ikaw naman kailangan [para] sa mga new recruits (I want to teach this time. Before, you learn from your older brothers, now it’s you who’s needed for the new recruits).”
Just 21 years old, Belangel already has a highly-accomplished UAAP career and a successful Gilas stint under his belt. Still, the Bacolodnon prodigy remains hungry for more and is just starting to unfold his legacy—with a UAAP four-peat and a successful professional basketball career in sight.
