'29-point explosion' not Choi Jun-yong, but Coach Lee Sang-min's MVP pick: "Heo Hun's sacrifice was felt by all" [Busan]

*This content was translated by AI.

Sacrifices that do not appear in the statistics united the super team. After securing their spot in the semifinals, Busan KCC head coach Lee Sang-min hailed Heo Hun, who repeatedly threw his body into defensive plays, as the series Most Valuable Player (MVP).

On the 17th, KCC defeated Wonju DB 98–89 in the third game of the 2025–2026 LG Electronics KBL Playoffs Quarterfinals (PO) held at Busan Sajik Gymnasium, clinching a semifinal berth with a perfect 3–0 series record.

In the post-game press conference, Coach Lee Sang-min said, ""The players' will to win was truly immense. Their approach to this short series was clearly different from the regular season."" He shared his thoughts on the victory.

The series' top contributor chosen by Coach Lee Sang-min is Heo Hun. Although Heo Hun scored only 7 points in the first game and 9 points in the second game of this series (with 17 points in the third game), Coach Lee Sang-min highly praised Heo Hun's outstanding performance beyond mere statistics.

Regarding Heo Hun, Coach Lee Sang-min stated, ""As I mentioned before the game, Heo Hun in the playoffs is completely different from Heo Hun in the regular season." He added, ""Even if he exerted slightly less effort on offense, his sacrifices on defense elevated the team's overall energy level. By tightly marking and harassing DB's key player, Ibanez Alvaro, he allowed other players such as Song Kyochang and Choi Jun-yong to thrive organically. With Heo Hun stabilizing the defense first, all players felt his spirit of sacrifice.""

On the tactical aspects against DB, he analyzed, ""We expected the opponent to play aggressively. It was not easy to maintain the lead even after allowing 11 three-pointers, but we gained control thanks to Choi Jun-yong and Sean Long breaking through from the perimeter. Especially, holding firm during the third quarter, which has always been a critical moment, proved decisive.""

Regarding Choi Jun-yong, who scored a personal playoff record-high 29 points, he also said, ""Due to intense defensive pressure on Sean Long, we had to target the perimeter. If Choi Jun-yong's shooting touch had not been sharp, the game would have been difficult, but he found his rhythm by making two early mid-range shots. Despite having a contusion, he finished the game well until the end.""

KCC's focus now turns to Anyang Jung-gwanjang, the second-place team in the regular season. Although KCC was at a disadvantage in head-to-head records against them during the regular season, Coach Lee Sang-min expressed exceptional confidence. He stated, ""We only faced them when the Big Four (Heo Hun, Heo Woong, Choi Jun-yong, and Song Kyochang) were not fully healthy." He continued, ""Now that the starting players have recovered their form, it is time to give it our all. Song Kyochang and Choi Jun-yong are in good physical condition, and their game sharpness has improved. We have sufficient time to recover physically before the semifinal playoffs. We will forget the regular season records and compete properly.""

Finally, Coach Lee Sang-min added, ""KCC players are smart athletes who know how to win in short series. If they simply execute the basics—box-outs, backcourt defense, and turnover management—they can go even higher.""

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*This content was translated by AI.