Cheongju KB, the women’s professional basketball team looking to defend its crown, has advanced to the best-of-five championship series. It’s been two years since the 2021-2022 season, when KB won the overall title.

KB defeated Bucheon Hana OneQ 77-64 in the third round of the playoffs (best-of-five, best-of-three) on Wednesday at Bucheon Gymnasium. After winning both Game 1 and Game 2, KB secured its third straight victory to advance to the championship game. Leading 33-25 at halftime, KB fell behind 33-31 early in the third quarter after Hana OneQ’s Kim Sion and Jeong Ye-rim hit back-to-back three-pointers. However, Park Ji-soo made his presence felt both under the basket and on the perimeter, creating more space for his teammates to attack through screens, 텍사스홀덤사이트 and KB finished the game without allowing the lead to slip away.

Park Ji-soo recorded a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Most welcome was the resurgence of Kang Yiul. Kang made six three-pointers in Game 1 and nine in Game 2, but only one each. In this game, however, she was all smiles after knocking down five three-pointers and scoring 21 points.

With the win, KB advanced to the championship game for the ninth time in its history and will look to win its third title after the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 seasons. KB will open the championship on April 24 at home in Cheongju Gymnasium against the winner of the quarterfinal PO between Asan Woori Bank and Yongin Samsung Life Insurance. Woori Bank and Samsung Life are evenly matched at 1-1 in the series. With both teams needing at least two games to advance to the championship, KB has the physical advantage. “The players have done their part, and we’ve recovered to some extent,” said KB coach Kim Wan-soo, adding, “We’re confident, so it doesn’t matter which team comes to the championship.”

Meanwhile, Hana OneQ, which had its first taste of spring basketball since the team was founded in 2012, is already looking forward to next season after just three games. “I have nothing but praise for the players who did their best despite the shortage,” said Hana OneQ coach Kim Do-wan, adding, “I have no regrets because I did my best.”