Song Kyo-chang (201 cm, F) summoned his regular-season MVP form from three years ago.
Busan KCC defeated Suwon KT 90-73 in Game 1 of the 2023-2024 Jungkwanjang Professional Basketball Championship on Sunday at the KT Sonic Boom Arena in Suwon, South Korea.
The victory gave KCC a 69.2 percent chance of winning the championship, marking its first championship in 13 years since the 2010-2011 season.
KCC played the same fast-paced basketball that they had shown in the previous round of six and quarterfinals of the playoffs against KT. KCC was tied with KT 39-41 through two quarters before KT went on a 15-0 run in the third quarter.
From there, the game flowed in KCC’s favor, and they were able to take an 85-64 lead after the midway point of the fourth quarter to easily win Game 1.
KCC’s victory was fueled by the play of Song Kyo-chang. Song Kyo-chang has been getting better and better since the quarterfinals and helped KCC’s momentum. On this day, Song Kyo-chang formed a long forward line with Choi Jun-yong (200 cm, F) to counter KT’s height with speed.
Song Kyo-chang started scoring in the first quarter by utilizing his teammates and creating his own opportunities. In particular, Song Kyo-chang showed his sensitivity at the 4:51 mark of the first quarter when Ragan-ah (199m, C) was double-teamed by KT and boldly drove to the basket for two easy points. He also drove to the basket himself for a layup and made foul free throws.
Song Kyo-chang played more than five minutes in the second quarter to take care of his stamina, and he was also active on the offensive end, focusing on rebounding rather than scoring.
In the third quarter, KCC was able to take control of the game 먹튀검증 against KT thanks to Song’s confidence in his shooting, as he shot 86% (6/7) from the field in the third quarter. Song also utilized team play, as he played a two-man game with Heo Woong (185 cm, G) and Choi Jun-yong to record assists. In the third quarter alone, Song had 13 points and two rebounds to fuel KCC’s fast-paced offense.
Song was replaced by Jung Chang-young with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter as KCC went on to win the game. On the day, Song went about his business, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 28 minutes and eight seconds of play.
Song Kyo-chang’s form has improved as he has played more games during the playoffs. He emerged as the centerpiece of KCC’s running game in the playoffs as he coordinated his play with Heo Woong and Choi Jun-yong.
For Song Kyo-chang personally, it’s encouraging to see a repeat of his 2020-2021 season, when he won MVP. It’s interesting to note that Song is facing Heo Hoon (180 cm, G), who was also competing for MVP at the time, in the championship game.
It will be interesting to see if Song can forget the disappointment of finishing runner-up in the championship three years ago and experience the first title of his career.