Light Shines upon Samsung for Championship

Samsung Life has made the first step for the third consecutive title in the women’s professional basketball winter league.

The first match of the New Kukmin Bank 2002 Winter League playoff was held between Samsung Life and Shinsegae at Kwangju Yeonmju stadium on the 28th.

Samsung, which won the titles of 2000 and 2001 winter leagues, defeated last year’s summer league winter Shinsegae by 58-56, as Philips (15 pts.) and Kim Kyeo-Ryung (14 pts.) kept the rim. If Samsung adds one more victory in the other 2 games, it advances to the finals.

After professionalizing in 1998, the two teams shared 4 titles (Samsung) and 3 titles (Shinsegae) in 7 leagues each. The two rivals were fighting equally throughout the game, and Philips threw a free point to make the 9th tie of 56 – 56 just 1 minute 44 seconds before the whistle. After Shinsegae Jung Sun-Min’s offense was blocked by Kim Kyeo-Ryung’s defense, Philips received an assist from Park Jung-Eun 25.3 seconds before the whistle and made the golden goal to finalize victory. Shinsegae’s Yang Jung-Ok threw a lay-up shot just before the final whistle, but only touched the rim. The rebounded ball fell into Philips, and the game was over.

Samsung Life’s coach Yoo Su-Jong said, “The key to victory was that of defense blocking the rival’s fast-break, and stopping the offense route. The situations stand advantageous to us, we’ll maintain them.”

Shinsegae, which survived on Jung Sun-Min’s 22 points, is seeking a victory in the second match that will be held in Suwon.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com