SK Basketball Loses to Hong Kong Eastern in EASL Overtime Thriller

[서울=뉴시스] Reporter Ha Geun-soo = Professional basketball team Seoul SK was caught by Hong Kong Eastern and postponed its confirmation of advancing to the East Asian Super League (EASL) Finals (sixth round) for the 2025-2026 season.

SK lost 83-96 in the 5th game of Group A of the group stage against Hong Kong Eastern held at Hong Kong Southern Stadium on the 7th (Korean time).

As a result, first place SK became 3 wins and 2 losses, and Hong Kong Eastern became 3rd with 2 wins and 2 losses.

SK aims to advance to the semifinals in the final 6th home game against Taiwan’s Fubon Braves to be held at Jamsil Student Gymnasium on the 28th.

This season, EASL expanded from the existing 10-team system to a 12-team system.

The group stage is divided into three groups of four teams each and is played on a home and away basis.

Afterwards, the 6 teams ranked 1st and 2nd in each group will compete in the finals to determine the champion.

SK qualified to participate in EASL by advancing to the KCC professional basketball championship in the 2024-2025 season.

Although they lost 89-97 to Utsunomiya Brex in the first game, they won three games in a row in games 2 to 4 to rise to the lead.

However, on this day, they were caught by Hong Kong Eastern, the lowest ranked team, and were unable to secure a place in the semifinals.

Jamil Warney struggled, scoring 29 points, but it wasn’t enough, and Daryl Monroe’s double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds also faded.

The first quarter was led by Hong Kong Eastern, and the second quarter was led by SK.

SK ended the first half with a 4-point lead, 44-40.

Entering the second half, SK pulled the reins.

In particular, Warney took the lead, scoring 10 points in the third quarter alone.

SK succeeded in getting away with a 9-point gap, 54-48.

Hong Kong Eastern’s counterattack, backed by the support of their home fans, was also formidable.

The fourth quarter began with SK slightly ahead at 59-58.

SK failed to defend the paint zone and allowed a brief reversal, but took the lead again with Alvin Tolentino’s outside shot.

However, an outside shot was allowed with 1.2 seconds left in the game, making the score tied 81-81, and the game eventually went into overtime.

SK, which had held on well, suddenly collapsed.

After allowing a comeback with a free throw due to a foul, he was swayed by the opponent from inside and outside.

Warney, Monroe, and Kim Hyeong-bin attempted shots, but each time they missed the rim, and the game ended in SK’s loss.

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