KCC and DB will meet in the final game in 2025.
Busan KCC and Wonju DB will face off against Youngshin Basketball in the 3rd round of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Professional Basketball League at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 31st. Both teams are tied for third place with a season record of 16 wins and 10 losses. As the team that wins on this day enters the new year in sole 3rd place, an important battle is expected in the ranking competition. This is the first time in three seasons since the 2022-2023 season that the two teams have faced each other in basketball competition.
# Clutch, the rookie who decided the game
[KCC-DB, 2025~2026시즌 2라운드 맞대결 주요 기록]
1. Score: 80-77
2. 2-point shooting success rate: 39% (21/54)-53% (19/36)
3. 3-point shooting success rate: 45% (9/20) – 27% (8/30)
4. Free throw percentage: 79% (11/14) – 68% (15/22)
5. Rebounds: 35-32
6. Assists: 26-16
7. Turnovers: 12-13
8. Steel: 8-9
9. Blocked Shots: 2-10
* KCC’s record is ahead
In the last match between the two teams, it was KCC who laughed. KCC started the fourth quarter with a 58-66 lead, but took the lead by going on the offensive after the operating time. Rookie Yoon Ki-chan (194cm, F) scored his first point in his professional debut with a mid-distance bank shot to tie the score at 71-71, and Jang Jae-seok (203cm, C) and Heo Hoon (180cm, G) scored in succession, allowing KCC to turn things around and make a 10-0 run. The game was tied again after giving up a 3-point shot and an and-one play to Ethan Albano (182cm, G), but Yoon Ki-chan’s one shot in a clutch situation decided the game.
9 seconds before the end of the game, Yoon Ki-chan received a pass from Heo Woong at a 45-degree point on the right and hit the final 3-pointer, giving KCC the victory. Along with Yoon Ki-chan, who made a strong impression in his second game since his debut, Jang Jae-seok led the team to victory with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and Heo Woong with 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Meanwhile, DB was unable to maintain its early lead and lost. Although Albano remained focused until the end, scoring 9 points in the 4th quarter, other players only scored 2 points in the 4th quarter. They lost in a close match following the first round, and their first win of the season against KCC had to be postponed to a later date.
# Towards third place
[부산 KCC, 최근 3경기 결과]
1. 2025.12.24. vs Seoul Samsung (Busan Sajik Gymnasium): 98-91 (win)
2. 2025.12.26. vs Changwon LG (Busan Sajik Gymnasium): 101-109 (lost)
3. 2025.12.28. vs Ulsan Hyundai Mobis (Busan Sajik Gymnasium): 78-84 (lost)
[원주 DB, 최근 3경기 결과]
1. 2025.12.25. vs Anyang CheongKwanJang (Anyang CheongKwanJang Arena): 69-63 (Win)
2. 2025.12.27. vs Goyang Sono (Goyang Sono Arena): 98-92 (Win)
3. 2025.12.28. vs Seoul Samsung (Wonju DB Promy Arena): 81-67 (Win)
KCC had recently been on the rise with 7 consecutive wins, but their winning streak came to an end when they lost to LG at the end of the second overtime on the 24th. Although their momentum has recently waned due to the subsequent loss to Hyundai Mobis, KCC is still led by Heo Hoon. Despite the departure of key players including Song Kyo-chang, Choi Jun-yong, and Heo Woong, Heo Hoon led the team with an average of 15.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 4 rebounds in the third round. His assists rank first in the league, and in the game against Sono on the 20th, he achieved his first career triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. In addition, the possibility of Heo Woong (185cm, G) returning is good news for KCC. Heo Woong was unable to play in the last two games due to a heel spur after the Samsung game on the 24th, but joined the team ahead of the basketball competition. Although the playing time has not been set, KCC showed a strong performance against DB this season with an average of 22 points, including a 3-pointer in the first round final, so depending on the situation, KCC can expect a shot at Heo Woong in the game.
DB, which is facing this, has been on a three-game winning streak recently, but the process has not been smooth. Before the previous game against Samsung, DB had a close game within 6 points in 9 consecutive games and continued to win until the end of each game. It is important to maintain concentration in clutch situations, as we lost both times in close games against KCC this season. Meanwhile, DB’s ace Albano is showing the most outstanding performance with an average of 20.9 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in the third round. He has a definite impact, such as a buzzer-beater against SK and a career-high 37 points against Sono, and is also efficient with a 50% 2-point shot success rate and a 44.9% 3-point shot success rate. While a confrontation with Heo Hoon, who is mentioned as another round MVP candidate, is scheduled, if Albano leads DB to victory on this day, he can finish 2025 meaningfully by taking an advantageous position in the round MVP competition.
In addition to the uniqueness of this day’s game as a ‘basketball legend’, there are several points to watch. Both teams are tied for 1st place and tied for 3rd place in the season with 6 wins and 2 losses in the 3rd round, and the winning team will finish 2025 in 3rd place along with 1st place in the 3rd round. The match between Heo Hoon and Albano, who are mentioned as round MVP candidates, is also a must-see.
The first basketball match between KCC and DB in 3 years. Which team will laugh on the last night of 2025 will be decided at 21:30 at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan.
Photo courtesy = KBL
