SK misses both justification and benefits... Coach Jeon Hee-cheol: "Injured players showed great fighting spirit; they worked hard."

*This content was translated by AI.

"It took a bit longer because I was telling the players they had worked hard."

When Heechul Jeon (53), the head coach of Seoul SK, entered the interview room, he wore a remarkably calm expression.

SK lost to Goyang Sono by a single point, 64-65, in the third game of the 2025-2026 KBL Playoffs Top 6 held at Goyang Sono Arena in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 16th. With 4.3 seconds remaining in the game, SK allowed an opposing player, Nathan Knight, to score a go-ahead layup. As a result, SK finished the series and the season with three consecutive losses.

This playoff began with controversy. SK was embroiled in allegations of staging a "non-serious game" to avoid facing Busan KCC in the final regular-season match and instead secure a matchup against Sonos. Ultimately, the KBL Disciplinary Committee convened, imposing a 5 million won fine on head coach Jeon Hee-cheol and issuing a warning to the SK franchise.

However, the results were devastating, rendering the suspicion of "deliberate selection" unfounded. SK suffered a lifeless two-game losing streak at home. In Game 1, they were decisively defeated by a 29-point margin (76-105), and in Game 2, they failed to hold a 14-point lead and lost in a comeback (72-80). Then, in the third game on the road, they managed a late comeback but ultimately lost. For SK, the playoffs were a failure in both principle and substance.

After the match, head coach Hee-cheol Jeon shielded his players throughout the interview. He expressed gratitude, saying, "The players worked hard and gave their all. There are many patients, and they also showed great fighting spirit despite their injuries."

On this day, SK forward Ahn Young-jun (31), who had missed the first and second games due to a calf injury, volunteered to play after taking painkillers. He played a total of 31 minutes and 25 seconds, recording 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Former coach Jeon added, "(Kim) Nak-hyun is also in poor condition with his knees right now. He must have had a hard time playing while enduring the pain."

Head coach Jeon Hee-cheol, who said, "This season is over, but the next season is waiting," concluded the interview in just over two minutes, adding, "Although the results were regrettable, we will wrap things up well."

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*This content was translated by AI.