Power of Mercenaries

Kumho Life Insurance won the league championships for the first time in seven seasons since its foundation.

Kumho beat its first opponent, KB Bank at the 2003 Women`s Pro Basketball Summer League, which took place yesterday at the Incheon City Stadium. Kumho won the game 93-83.

After its foundation in 2000, it had not won any season opener so far, and Kumho was always at the bottom of the ranking.

The WKBL allowed the privilege only to Kumho to balance out the differences between the teams. Thus, Kumho was able to hire two foreign basketball players, while other teams can retain only on one.

The victory was helped in most part by the two foreign players. They made 50% of the team points and made a critical contribution to the victory. In addition, Kumho center Kwock Young-joo helped them by securing the basket.

On the other hand, KB center Smith got fouled out in the second quarter, giving a big blow to KB.

Kumho led the first two quarters 51-47. Beginning with the third quarter, KB overturned the game 67-70 with long-range shoots. But Kumho turned it over against with its dominant power under the basket.

Getting into the middle of the fourth, when KB was leading, Kumho`s Mozambican mercenary made successive goals and secured the victory for her team.

Kumho’s coach Shin Dong-chan confidently said, "I will go into the playoffs, I promise."

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com