Korean basketball subdued Japan's pride at home.
The men's basketball team, led by head coach Ahn Jun-ho, easily defeated their longtime rivals Japan 91-77 in a test match held at Anyang Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on the 11th, thanks to the performances of Lee Hyun-jung and Yeo Jun-seok. Korea will have a second match against Japan on the 13th.
Korea aims for a top-four finish at the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia this August. Japan has initiated a generational change with an eye toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Key players such as Kawaguchi Yuki, Yudai Baba, and Tominaga Keisei are participating in the NBA Summer League.
Korea started with Lee Jung-hyun, Ahn Young-jun, Lee Hyun-jung, Yeo Jun-seok, and Lee Seung-hyun. Hah Yoon-ki, Lee Woo-seok, and Han Hee-won were excluded from the roster. Japan's starting five included Kaisei Tabeusu, Ren Kanechika, Yudai Nishida, Akira Jacobs, and Josh Hawkinson.
The running basketball strategy of 1 guard and 4 forwards shone brightly. Starting with a pleasing three-pointer from Lee Hyun-jung and Lee Jung-hyun, Korea surged ahead with a fast break from Yeo Jun-seok, taking an 8-2 lead.
The shooting duel between Lee Hyun-jung and Ren Kanechika was exciting. The two players alternated hitting three-pointers. Jeong Seong-woo, who came in as a substitute, made his A match debut. Nakamura Taichi, who had played for Wonju DB, also stepped onto the court.
Yeo Jun-seok nailed a three-pointer while matching up with his Seattle University teammate Kawashima Yuto. Korea, showing strong outside shooting, led 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Ace Lee Hyun-jung definitely made a significant contribution. He drove through four defenders and, despite losing his physical balance, stayed focused to score with a layup. This scoring route was a rare type among Korean players.
The lack of a naturalized player to succeed Ra Gun-ah was a significant gap for Korea. Lee Seung-hyun and Lee Won-seok were rotated in, but they struggled to contain center Hawkinson. Korea allowed its first lead change, trailing 39-40 in the latter part of the second quarter.
Lee Hyun-jung, who came from winning the Australian league, played his role as the ace. Although Yeo Jun-seok's dunk attempt failed, the atmosphere in the gym was electric. More than half of the audience were female fans captivated by Yeo Jun-seok's performance. Korea fell behind 42-45 at halftime after giving up a three-pointer just before the end of the second quarter.
Lee Hyun-jung, who scored 10 points in the second quarter, finished the first half with 16 points. 38% of Korea's total points came from Lee Hyun-jung.
As the second half began, Kim Jong-kyu was brought in. Yoo Gi-sang's consecutive three-pointers allowed Korea to regain control. Yeo Jun-seok's physicality shone through as he grabbed offensive rebounds and made blocks, shifting the momentum. Yeo Jun-seok's three-pointer gave Korea a 67-65 lead as they entered the fourth quarter.
Lee Hyun-jung dove for loose balls and showcased hustle plays. He elevated the energy level of the game. With Lee Hyun-jung's three-pointer and Yeo Jun-seok's fast break, Korea took a commanding 76-65 lead.
Yeo Jun-seok delivered a pivotal dunk with 1 minute and 28 seconds left, extending the lead to 91-74. This was the moment Korea was assured of victory. Korea even brought in Park Ji-hoon at the end, ensuring all 12 players saw action on the court. Ultimately, Korea comfortably finished the game with a resounding victory.
[Photo] Anyang=Choi Kyu-han, reporter dreamer@osen.co.kr
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