Hyundai, ``Just One More Win``

Hyundai Hyperion is only a win away from the champion, crushing the Shinsegae Coolcat, for which Jung Sun-Min fought in spite of the injury.

Hyundai won a great victory with 84-74 in championship round game three with Shinsegae in the 2001 WKBL at the Yeumju Gymnasium, Kwangju. With the two straight wins, Hyundai (2-1) secured the advantageous position in which it can grab a championship title for the first time since the inauguration of the team in 1986 by adding just one more win in the remaining two games.

When Shinsegae`s Jung Sun-Min, whose starting status had been unclear, warmed herself up on the court before the game started, Hyndai`s bench unexpectedly remained serene. Rather, Shinsegae`s bench has worried. Trainer Kim Hae-Young was nervous, worrying the worsened condition of Jung Sun-Min`s injured ankle.

The anxiety became real. Jumping on a lay-up, Jung Sun-Min bumped Jung Yoon-Sook after 1 minute 22 seconds in the first quarter, and she made a grimace from the pain, grabbing her ankle.

Despite she has been known for the indomitable fighting spirit, even being treated by an analgesic shot, Jung Sun-Min could not continue the normal play.

As Jung Sun-Min faltered, Hyundai players began to attack on the Shinsegae`s camp with the mighty teamwork.

Maintaining 3 to 5 lead throughout the game, Hyundai increased the lead to 50-43 thanks to a three-point shot by 10-year-veteran Kwon Eun-Jung (13 points) in 4 minutes 43 seconds of the third quarter. And as Jung Sun-Min left the court from the foul trouble, Kwon Eun-Jung consecutively blasted the three-point shots from the left side of the court and the center to secure the victory.

As Kang Ji-Sook (14 points) added the points with the middle-range shoot in the fourth quarter, Hyundai grabbed the perfect victory, once leading by 15 points.

jeon@donga.com