"Winning at home in Game 5 rather than a perfect-season championship." Thus, the Goyang crown prince... Lee Jung-hyun also prepares a 'road bus' for fans [KBL Media Day]

*This content was translated by AI.

As expected of the 'Goyang crown prince.' Goyang Sonos ace Lee Jung-hyun (27) chose a 'moving championship' with home fans over a miraculous 'perfect-season championship.'

On the 1st, the KBL held the 2025–2026 LG Electronics Professional Basketball Championship Finals Media Day at the KBL Center in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Sonos will face the 'super team' Busan KCC in the championship finals. In the regular season, Sonos finished fifth and KCC sixth. This marks the first time in KBL history that fifth- and sixth-ranked teams from the regular season will meet in the championship finals.

Sonos advanced to the championship finals for the first time in the club's history by winning all six games in the playoffs (PO). They swept Seoul SK in the quarterfinals with three straight wins and defeated defending champion and regular-season winner Changwon LG in the semifinals with a 3–0 record. Sonos now aims for a championship in their first-ever finals appearance.

At the Media Day, 'Sonos ace' Lee Jung-hyun expressed confidence, saying, "Since we swept the playoffs, I feel our performance and momentum are excellent. Having reached the finals, we will run toward the championship."

Sonos is also aiming for another historic achievement: a perfect-season championship in the playoffs. In 2021, Anyang KGC (now Jeonggwangjang) became the first team in KBL history to go undefeated in all 10 games from the quarterfinals through the finals, achieving a '10-game perfect-season championship.' It is a difficult record, but Sonos is challenging for it this season. Even Sonos head coach Son Chang-hwan, who experienced a perfect-season championship as a KGC coach back then, said, "It would be great if we could finish with a 4-game sweep, but we are also thinking about a Game 7."

What about Lee Jung-hyun's thoughts? He too did not have strong ambitions for a 'perfect-season championship.' This was not mere humility; it was because of the home fans. In an interview with reporters, Lee said, "I know a perfect-season championship is not easy. Also, Game 4 of the finals will be in Busan. I think it would be better to win in Game 5 at our Goyang home rather than a perfect-season championship."

Games 1 and 2 of the finals will be held at Sonos' home, Goyang Sonos Arena, while Games 3 and 4 will take place at KCC's home, Busan Sajik Gymnasium. After returning to Goyang for Game 5, Game 6 will be in Busan, and the decisive Game 7 will be played in Goyang. Lee made it clear that he would rather share the joy of winning with Goyang home fans than pursue a perfect-season championship that would go down in KBL history.

Lee Jung-hyun is known as the crown prince of Goyang. This season, Lee averaged 18.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 49 regular-season games and won the regular-season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. His performance in the playoffs was also outstanding, which helped Sonos advance to the finals. Lee has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the strong support from Goyang home fans.

Lee Jung-hyun is also preparing another event for Goyang home fans: chartering a road bus with his own money. Lee said, "I promised to charter a road bus if we reach the finals, and I think I really need to follow through. It is currently in the planning stage. If we win the championship, I will hold a fan meeting with thousands of fans."

Speaking to reporters, Lee added, "I don't know the cost of the road bus yet. We are still preparing and making reservations." He then smiled and turned to head coach Son Chang-hwan beside him, saying, "I think the coach will have to chip in."

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*This content was translated by AI.