"We're young and have no problems," Lee Jung-hyun declares → Choi Jun-yong: "Jinsan did the same..." A witty exchange [KBL Media Day]

*This content was translated by AI.

Goyang Sonu's ace Lee Jung-hyun (27) and Busan KCC's "championship guarantee" Choi Jun-yong (32) engaged in a humorous exchange.

The KBL held the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Professional Basketball Championship Final Media Day on the 1st at the KBL Center in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The Championship Final features the 5th-place Goyang Sonu and 6th-place Busan KCC, who will challenge for the title. It is truly an "upset series." For the first time in KBL history, the 5th and 6th-place teams from the regular season have advanced to the Championship Final.

At the Media Day, KCC head coach Lee Sang-min, Sonu head coach Son Chang-hwan, and players Heo Hoon and Choi Jun-yong (both KCC), Lee Jung-hyun and Kevin Kambo (both Sonu) attended and issued their statements of intent for the championship.

Sonu is on a "unstoppable run" with six consecutive wins in the Playoffs. They swept Seoul SK in the quarterfinals and even defeated defending champion and regular season winner Changwon LG 3-0 in the semifinals. Sonu aims for the championship following their first-ever Championship Final appearance.

The "super team" KCC, though somewhat underperforming in the regular season with a 6th-place finish, was different in the Playoffs. After defeating Wonju DB in the quarterfinals, they recorded a 3-1 victory against 2nd-place Anyang Jinsan in the semifinals to advance to the Championship Final.

KCC also reached the spring basketball stage with a 5th-place finish in the 2023-2024 season and won the championship ring. This marks the first time in KBL history that a 5th-place team has won the Championship Final. They are determined to replicate the same scenario this time.

In big games, the role of "superstars" is crucial. Sonu continues to place great expectations on Lee Jung-hyun. Lee Jung-hyun said, "Since we swept the playoffs, I feel our performance and momentum are very good. Having reached the Championship Final, I will strive for the championship. If we reach the Championship Final, I promised to charter a bus for the away team, and I think I really need to do it. It's currently in the planning stage. Also, if we win the championship, I promise to hold a fan meeting with thousands of fans."

KCC plans to rely on Choi Jun-yong to anchor the team. His dynamic play both inside and outside the perimeter led the team's upward momentum in the Playoffs. His energetic play was also a plus factor. He has more experience than other players. In particular, Choi Jun-yong experienced two Championship Final victories with his former team, Seoul SK, and won a ring two years ago while wearing the KCC uniform, totaling three championship titles.

Choi Jun-yong said, "It would have been better if I had played well during the regular season so the team could have advanced comfortably. I shone brightly in the spring and made things difficult for the players. I will do my best to win the Championship Final." He added, "Actually, I felt more confident two years ago. But as the weather has improved and we've been winning games, my body doesn't feel sore. The opposing players are young and play a lot, so I intend to stay calm."

Since both Sonu and KCC advanced from the quarterfinals, their schedules have been tight. The Championship Final is also likely to become a test of stamina. The first game of the Championship Final begins on the 3rd.

This led to a witty exchange between Lee Jung-hyun and Choi Jun-yong. Regarding stamina, Lee Jung-hyun said, "We played many games and had a lot of playing time, so it was tough, but since the playoffs ended with a sweep, we had plenty of rest. There was absolutely no problem. Also, our key players are younger than KCC's, so there's no problem at all," issuing a declaration of war.

In response, Choi Jun-yong retorted, "They say Jinsan had many young players in the semifinals and played well. But they didn't play well. We played better." When Lee Jung-hyun provoked by saying, "I was born in 1999," Heo Hoon of KCC, who was standing next to Choi Jun-yong, joined in with support, saying, "We look younger."

Heo Hoon also said, "Our enemy is not Sonu. It's us," and confidently added, "If we just get our act together, we can achieve good results."

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*This content was translated by AI.