Ahead of the 2024-2025 KCC Professional Basketball playoffs (PO), the six team coaches have each expressed their determination.
The coaches announced fierce competition during the playoff media day held on the 10th at the KBL Center in Gangnam, Seoul.
This season's six-team playoffs will see 4th place Suwon KT facing 5th place Korea Gas Corporation, and 3rd place Hyundai Mobis taking on 6th place Anyang Jeonggwanjang. The winning teams will compete against 1st place Seoul SK and 2nd place Changwon LG in the semifinals.
The coaches of the four teams starting in the playoffs expressed a strong will not just to advance to the semifinals, but to reach the championship series. Already in the semifinals are SK and LG, each having set clear goals of overall victory and making their first championship appearance.
SK coach Jeon Hee-cheol said, “We finished the regular season in first place after completing the fewest games in history at 46. The pressure is high in the playoffs, but I trust my confident players. I want to play with all my heart together with Jamill Warney, who has expressed his intention to retire, and free agents Kim Sun-hyung, Ahn Young-jun, and Oh Jae-hyun. This will not be our 'last dance,' but rather 'another dance.'”
LG coach Jo Sang-hyun noted, “It’s already my third year since I took over as coach. In the last two seasons, we went directly to the playoffs, but we fell short at the championship threshold. This year, I will definitely make it to the championship series.”
Hyundai Mobis coach Jo Dong-hyun remarked, “I have also been in charge of the team for three years. We have always stopped at the six-team playoffs, but this time I want to go higher. I will leverage Hyundai Mobis' unique teamwork to win every game and advance to the finals.”
KT coach Song Young-jin said, “We finished the season well under difficult conditions. Although I had some regrets in the second half, I want to cleanly prepare for the playoffs and face SK.”
Korea Gas Corporation coach Kang Hyuk stated, “No one thought we would make it to the playoffs this season. The players worked very hard, and I am thankful to keep the promise of playing 'spring basketball.' We will not stop here, but rather show the Daegu fans at least one more game.”
Jeonggwanjang coach Kim Sang-sik said, “A lot has happened over the season. We were at the bottom until early in the fourth round, but we finally made it to the playoffs. Having come this far, I will do my best to go even further.”
The coaches' goals vary, but their focus is unified. Overall victory, first championship appearance, and unexpected upsurge. This year's playoffs are expected to feature the fiercest competition yet.
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