*This content was translated by AI.
Changwon LG, which aimed for back-to-back championships, recorded a starkly contrasting result in the playoffs after just one year. The homework coach Jo Sang-hyun (50) had worried about became the team's downfall.
On the 27th, LG lost 80-90 to Goyang Sono in the third game of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Basketball Playoffs semifinals held at Goyang Sono Arena. Having lost the first two games, LG also surrendered the third game in vain, leading to elimination from the playoffs and ultimately shattering their championship hopes.
This marks the first time a regular-season No. 1 team has been eliminated from the semifinals playoffs without securing a single win. Compared to last season's miraculous achievement of the club's first-ever championship, the result was a complete 180-degree reversal.
Coach Jo Sang-hyun of LG said, "Given that LG won the regular season, fans' expectations must have been high. I am sorry and sincerely apologize."
In fact, the season preparation was not easy. Before the joy of winning could even fade, LG faced a busy schedule with overlapping commitments such as the EASL (East Asia Super League) and national team duties. Coach Jo Sang-hyun admitted, "I have never experienced a season as difficult as this one. We were unable to prepare as much as in other seasons. Nevertheless, the players made great efforts to defend the championship title and achieved the result of finishing first in the regular season. I believe the playoff result reflects my own shortcomings."
Ultimately, the lack of preparation during the off-season led to the unresolved homework. The part Coach Jo Sang-hyun regretted the most was the 'solid bench.' Due to the fierce battle for the top spot during the regular season, it was difficult to deploy players with ease.
Coach Jo Sang-hyun reflected, "Honestly, we played most of last season with just five starting members. Creating a sixth man and backup foreign players was the homework. We aimed for the playoffs, but in order to maintain a top ranking, we overused the starters. In the end, it is regrettable that the backup players could not step up."
The concerns of the head coach materialized fully in this playoffs. LG's starting point guard, Yang Jun-seok, suffered a foot injury and missed the third game, while Yu Gi-sang's shooting touch was lacking. Yu Gi-sang scored 18 points, including six three-pointers in the third game, but ultimately could not prevent LG's elimination.
Coach Jo Sang-hyun stated, "Due to the absence of the point guard, we struggled with confusion and difficulties in setting up plays. We should have given more playing time to Han Sang-hyuk and Yoon Won-sang, but we failed to do so, which showed in the playoffs. For this off-season, we plan to start practice games early to prepare."
He further added, "We will use this experience as a stepping stone and challenge for the championship again next season."
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*This content was translated by AI.
