"I can't be a strong team just because there are four superstars," KCC needs to sacrifice for the "super team."

The KBL Busan KCC Egis, which produced results that did not match the title of "super team," won a dramatic victory by adding grit. Will the thrilling come-from-behind victory serve as an opportunity to turn the tables.

KCC beat Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus 93-88 in the third round of the 2023-2024 Jeonggwanjang Professional Basketball League held at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on Wednesday after the second playoff. KCC, which recorded seven wins and nine losses (0.438 win rate) this season, lowered Goyang Sono to eighth and became the lone seventh.

Ahead of this season, KCC had a splendid lineup of players. It boldly recruited Heo Woong, Lee Seung-hyun, and Choi Joon-yong last year, and also recruited Ra Gun-ah, who was discharged from the Sangmu basketball team in November this year, as well as Aces. It was a remarkable combination of three former MVP players (Korean player Song Kyo-chang and Choi Jun-yong, foreign player Ra Gun-ah).

As a result, KCC has emerged as a strong candidate to win the title this season. "My pledge is to quit if I fail. I want to do my best, thinking that it is my last chance," KCC manager Jeon Chang-jin said as his winning pledge at the 2023-24 season opening ceremony. Of course, it was a joke, but I had high expectations on KCC.

However, KCC was not as successful as expected. They got off to a flying start with a 106-100 victory in the opening game against Samsung in Seoul, but they had a hell of a six-game road trip due to a gym rental issue. As KCC ended up losing four games in a row (between Jeong Gwan-gwan on Nov. 7 and DB on Nov. 14), KCC also had difficulty advancing to the sixth place, a playoff berth. It has continued its "pong-dang-pong-dang" even after returning to its home base.

It was fatal to see the team's teamwork collapse in the defense line. After losing a home game against KT in Suwon on June 30, opposing team ace Huh Hoon even pointed out that he had "not as much trouble as I thought (in regional defense)." "It was a shameful game as a coach. I misprepared myself. I have nothing more to say than that," Jeon said.

The momentary lack of concentration also contributed. Ahead of the match on Sunday, Jeon said, "I can't control the flow of the game." "The momentary loss of concentration, turnovers, and inability to score easy points result from mental factors," Jeon said. "Players rely on Johnson for their performance, but they are not satisfied with the bench."

The team also showed similar performance through mid-point. KCC actively played under the basket in the early first quarter, and when they made aggressive attack attempts, they continued to score through free throws. KCC once ran away by more than 10 points. However, the success rate of field throws suddenly dropped after mid-point of the first quarter, and Korea Gas Corporation launched a counterattack. As Korea Gas Corporation, which bombed Duvon Maxwell at the bottom of the basket and Yang Jae-hyuk at the outside, ended the third quarter 62-55, KCC seemed to lose.

However, KCC regained their minds in the fourth quarter and took full advantage of their height as Ra Gun-ah held firm under the basket. Eventually, KCC entered the extra time with a 74-74 tie as Ra Gun-ah's under-the-basket shot succeeded along with Heo Woong's three-run shot in the clutch situation. Even in the first extra time, the game did not split and went to the second extra time, and in the end, KCC, which maintained its backside to the end, took the victory.

After the game, Jeon said, "(KCC) always lacks grit and does not allow players to engage until the end. Today, Jeon had a good attitude to play until the end of the second playoff. I want to compliment him." "I lack a lot in defense. I need to elevate and coordinate my skills while playing the game," he said.

Heo Woong, who scored 16 points by scoring five 3-pointers after the third quarter of the day, said, "A four superstars will never make a strong team." "When you do your best in defense and concentrate, you become a strong team. If everyone does their best, I think we will become a good team."

"A player who played ace should play as a team, but it's not easy to blend in because each player has his or her strong characteristics," Huh said. "Players are going crazy about wanting to play more. Last year, I played for 35 to 38 minutes, but this year, I think the superstars need to show what they have because it is a short time to play separately." "Other teams have players who work hard. We can't just ask (Song) Kyo-chang and (Choi) Jun-yong to do rebounds," Huh said. "I think we can make concessions by doing what we are most confident in in defense and attack, not losing rebounds."

Fortunately, the team atmosphere for the "one team" has been prepared. "It's so nice to have players. I'm so happy and doing well. I think I have a chance to go up anytime," Huh said in a positive light. 안전놀이터