Heo Soo-bong (27) of Hyundai Capital Skywalkers led the team to its first-ever treble.
Hyundai Capital achieved victory in the 3rd match of the 'Dodram 2024-2025 V-League' championship final held at Incheon Gyeyang Gymnasium on the 5th, winning with a set score of 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23), securing the championship final title with a series record of 3 wins. This is their first championship win in 6 years since the 2018-2019 season. The overall victory including the regular season title is their first in 19 years since the 2005-2006 season, and this is the first time they have achieved a treble.
Heo Soo-bong recorded 22 points (attack success rate of 55.6%), making him the top scorer for Hyundai Capital that day. In the 3 championship final matches, he scored a total of 56 points and received 8 votes in the championship final MVP voting, coming in second after Leo, who received 23 votes.
Heo Soo-bong, who tasted the joy of victory after 6 years since the 2018-2019 season, said in an interview after the match, "I think time flew by because we hardly lost this season. The crowd came close to selling out every game, which made it enjoyable to play. I’m very happy that we could finish it in the 3rd match. There were many tough moments today, but I think the players managed to stay focused and overcome them. I’m very happy."
Heo Soo-bong, who led Hyundai Capital this season as the team captain, noted, "I’m really happy to have achieved a treble as the captain for the first time. I don’t think I did anything specific because I am the captain. The players supported me a lot. The coach and all the staff really helped me a lot, allowing us to finish strong."
Leo, the championship final MVP, said, "I’m really pleased with the result. Winning the championship final MVP is an award I have been waiting for. It is very meaningful," and jokingly added, "The season MVP can go to Heo Soo-bong." After hearing Leo's words, Heo Soo-bong laughed and replied, "If I am given the MVP, I will accept it."
Hyundai Capital realized this season would be the last for franchise star Moon Seong-min, who has retired. Heo Soo-bong remarked, "Now that it’s ending, I’ve been thinking a lot that (Moon) Seong-min hyung may not be on the court or at the games next season." He continued, "So, I really wanted to repay him with a championship win. Seong-min hyung helped me win twice when I could not play. Although it’s just once for me, I am proud that I repaid him with a treble. It’s because Seong-min hyung taught me a lot that I could do this."
Heo Soo-bong said, "(Choi) Min-ho hyung and Seong-min hyung played a role in keeping the players in check when the atmosphere wasn’t good. They also told me, 'Since you are the captain, don't worry about the seniors and just do what you want. If you need to make a decision, make it yourself.' They communicated this well to me, allowing me to be a captain without much discomfort. If the coach asks me to be the captain again next season, I will try to do even better than this year."
Heo Soo-bong shared, "In the past, I just thought of having fun playing and trusting the older guys," and added, "Now that I’ve become the captain and have juniors, I provided advice on how to approach opponents, drawing on my own experiences on the court. To ensure I become a good captain for my juniors, I exert myself a bit more and push myself harder, and I think that has benefited me as well."
Having prevented Korean Air from winning the championship for 5 consecutive years, Heo Soo-bong remarked, "I’ve heard so many times that we can’t perform against Korean Air. I really wanted to win this season." He added, "Just because we won this season doesn't mean we will win next season. Honestly, I don’t think we can replicate the 30 wins and 6 losses we recorded this season. I will simply do my best in every match to strive for another championship win at the end."
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