Hyundai Fights Back

Nobody filled the absence of `all-round player` Jung Sun-Min (27), who can play at guard and forward as well as at center.

In game two of the 2001 WKBL championship round at Cheongjoo Gymnasium yesterday, Hyundai Hyperion won an easy 75-60 victory over Shinsegae Coolcat, whose main shooter Jung Sun-Min was out of game due to the injury. As Hyundai succeeded to take revenge on the loss in game one, the contest between two teams became the whole new start.

Hyundai head coach Jung Duk-Hwa started the first quarter with the second unit, as if to test the potential of Shinsegae without Jung Sun-Min. He constructed the `best 5` with Kwon Eun-Jung, and Jin Mi-Jung, Jang Hwa-Jin, Ok Eun-Hee and Emma, whose playing time has been about 10 minutes during the season. However, having been holding on `best 5`, Shinsegae head coach Lee Moon-Kyu sent Huh Yoon-Ja in place of Jung Sun-Min.

Both teams maintained the tie score (10-10) until the six minutes of the first quarter. After finishing the test of the opponent`s potential, Hyundai head coach Jung called back the starting members to the bench, and sent to the court the first unit including Jung Yoon-Sook, Kim Young-Ok and Sanford. The strategy hit the mark. Winding up the first quarter leading 21-17, Hyundai never loosened up to lead by 10 points (38-28).

In the third, led by 28-42, Shinsegae made a follow-up attack with three three-point shots by Yang Jung-Ok and Yoon Mi-Yeon. But as it allowed back-to-back three-point shots to Kwon Eun-Jung and Kim Young-Ok, Shinsegae had to give up the will to chase up. The game was actually over. After finishing third quarter 57-43, Hyundai was leading by 22 points in the middle of fourth quarter, signaling its victory.

Hyundai Kim Young-Ok recorded the team`s best 19 points including two three-point shots, and Sanford (16 points, 9 rebounds) and Ok Eun-Hee (14 points) followed.

Kim Sang-Ho hyangsan@donga.com