Busan BNK Some, a women’s professional basketball team based in Busan, took a historic step. BNK advanced to the women’s professional basketball (WKBL) league championship match for the first time since its founding this year, the 4th season of its foundation. BNK coach Park Jeong-eun became the first female WKBL coach to lead the team in the championship match. On the 19th, BNK will play against Woori Bank, who ranked first in the regular league, for the 2023 season women’s professional basketball championship, with 5 matches and 3 wins.
BNK won 81-70 in the second game of the playoff against Shinhan Bank SOL 2022-2023 women’s professional basketball Yongin Samsung Life Bluemings held at Yongin Indoor Gymnasium on the 14th. BNK confirmed its advance to the championship match for the first time in its history by winning two consecutive victories over Samsung Life following the first game victory (66-56) held at the Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 12th.
It is the first time in the 4th season since the foundation of the 2019-2020 season that BNK has advanced to the championship match. BNK ranked 5th in the first season (10-17) among the 6 women’s professional basketball clubs, and placed last in the 2020-2021 season (5-25). However, last season BNK recorded 4th place (12-18) and took the first playoff stage since its founding, but finished in 4th place. BNK finally advanced to the championship match with 2nd place in the regular league (17-13).
Coach Park Jeong-eun, who has been in charge of BNK since the 2021-2022 season, was recognized for his outstanding leadership by leading the team from the playoffs last season to the championship match this season. Along with this, Park Jeong-eun became the first WKBL female coach to advance to the championship match. Coach Park also challenges her to become the first ever female champion coach.
BNK’s team captain, veteran Kim Han-byeol (forward), Lee So-hee and Ahn Hye-ji (guard), Han Um-ji (forward), and Jin An (center) performed at the top of the league and quickly established themselves as favorites for the championship. In addition, the good performances of Kim Si-on (guard), Kim Min-ah (guard), Lee Sa-bin (guard), and Park Seong-jin (center) have been reborn as a strong team. 스포츠토토
BNK also showed their strong side in the game on the 14th. BNK broke the expectation that it would be a close match in the game that day, and won without allowing Samsung Life to reverse even once. BNK started the fourth quarter with a 64-54, 10-point lead over Samsung Life. However, at the beginning of the 4th quarter, the main guards, Lee So-hee and Jin-an, were sent off for 5 fouls, and they faced a crisis. Samsung Life Insurance got a golden opportunity to reverse BNK. However, captain Kim Han-byeol showed active movement under the goal and skillfully responded to the crisis. On the outskirts, Ahn Hye-ji and Han Um-ji accumulated points. Despite the consecutive exits of two key players, BNK confirmed their advancement to the championship match by enduring Samsung Life’s strong pursuit.
On the 19th, BNK will play against Woori Bank, the first place in the regular league this season, with 3 wins out of 5 matches. BNK lost 1 win and 5 losses in 6 matches against Woori Bank this season. Woori Bank is a strong team supported by regular league MVP Kim Dan-bi and national team guard Park Hye-jin.
Coach Park Jeong-eun ordered the players to not be nervous when they step on the stage for the first time in the championship match. Coach Park Jeong-eun said, “There is no player other than Kim Han-byeol who has played in the championship game.” Coach Park expressed his determination, saying, “If you find the answer to some extent and finish the first game, you have a chance to win.”