Pro Basketball Championship Series Opens on May 5...First-Ever 5th vs. 6th Place "Underdog Showdown"

The 2025–2026 Professional Basketball Championship, which is expected to rewrite the history of “underdog upsets,” will begin on May 5. This marks the first time ever that the championship will feature a clash between the 5th and 6th place teams from the regular season.

In the previous 28 championship series, there has been only one instance where a team outside the top four in the regular season made it to the finals. That sole case was KCC in the 2023–2024 season. At that time, KCC entered the playoffs as the 5th seed, defeated the 4th seed SK Knights and the 1st seed Wonju DB, then went on to topple the 3rd seed Suwon KT in the championship, ultimately lifting the trophy. This year, KCC made history once again by becoming the first team ever to reach the finals as the 6th seed. Sono, entering as the 5th seed, became only the second team in history after KCC to make it to the championship series from that position.

Goyang Sono's Lee Junghyun is attempting a shot during the third game of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Professional Basketball Semifinals against Changwon LG held at Goyang Sono Arena on the 27th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Although both teams finished low in the regular season standings, their momentum in the playoffs has been overwhelming. Sono is currently riding a six-game playoff winning streak, having swept both the 4th seed SK and the top seed LG in the round of six and semifinals, respectively, with three consecutive wins each. KCC also swept 3rd seed DB in three straight games, then defeated 2nd seed Jeonggwanjang with a 3–1 record. The championship series is expected to be closely contested. In their six regular season matchups, the two teams split the series evenly with three wins apiece.

Lee Sangyoon, commentator for IB Sports, predicted, “If the series goes long, it will favor Sono; if it ends quickly, KCC will have the advantage.” He explained, “Sono, in addition to their ‘Big Three’ of Lee Jeonghyun, Kemba O, and Knight, is utilizing nearly ten players as their sixth men are performing well. In contrast, KCC’s five starters are each playing over 34 minutes per game in the playoffs. The longer the series, the more likely KCC will show signs of fatigue.”

Lee Jeonghyun, who was named regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) and cemented his place as the league’s top player, is leading Sono in the playoffs with averages of 18.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals over six games. Kemba O is also contributing to Sono’s impressive run, averaging 19.0 points in six playoff games—an improvement from his regular season average of 15.8 points.

KCC’s standout performer has been Choi Junyong, who is averaging 20.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks over seven playoff games. This is a significant leap from his regular season averages of 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. Choi only appeared in 22 regular season games.

With Choi Junyong and Song Gyochang both playing at full strength, KCC is being hailed as having regained its “superteam” form. Ahead of this season, KCC acquired Heo Hoon—who became a free agent from KT—adding him to a core that already included Heo Ung, Choi Junyong, and Song Gyochang. With four national team players on its roster, KCC was regarded as the strongest championship contender. However, injuries became an obstacle.

Heo Ung and Heo Hoon managed to play in 45 and 40 of the regular season’s 54 games, respectively, but Song Gyochang and Choi Junyong only appeared in 34 and 22 games. The four players were on the court together for just 12 regular season games. However, in the playoffs, all four are playing together, showcasing their credentials as title favorites.

This mirrors the 2023–2024 season, when KCC lifted the trophy as the 5th seed. Then, too, Song Gyochang played only 28 games and Choi Junyong 35 games in the regular season, causing KCC to finish 5th, but their return in the playoffs led to a commanding run and ultimately the championship.

Busan KCC's Choi Junyong is securing a rebound during the 4th game of the 2025-2026 professional basketball semifinals against Anyang Jungkwanjang at Busan Sajik Gymnasium on the 30th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Commentator Lee Sangyoon also pointed out that the improved defensive focus of KCC’s players is noteworthy. He explained, “KCC was first in average points scored during the regular season but also first in points allowed, resulting in a negative point differential. In the playoffs, however, their point differential has turned positive. Defense is more about mental strength than technical skill, and KCC’s players are coming together with determination to win the championship.”

During the regular season, KCC averaged 83.1 points scored and 84.3 points allowed per game. In their seven playoff games so far, they are averaging 89.3 points scored and 82.3 points allowed.

Jo Seongmin, a commentator for tvN Sports, also highlighted KCC’s impressive defensive intensity, noting, “In the round of six playoffs, Heo Hoon was outstanding on defense, and in the semifinals, Heo Ung showed great commitment on that end.” He added, “Since Sono’s Kemba O is performing at such a high level right now, the defense of KCC’s Song Gyochang will be critical in the championship series.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.