KBL Round 48 (Regular Season): KCC Egis defeat Seoul Knights in the closest game of the week

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in KBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 48 in the KBL took place in Busan. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd ranked Knights (32-20) to sixth ranked Egis (27-25) 81-79 on Wednesday evening. 25 personal fouls committed by Seoul Knights helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Joon-Young Choi (200-1994) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Knights' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. KCC Egis moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Sono SG. Seoul Knights at the other side keep the third position with 20 games lost. KCC Egis is looking forward to face league's leader LG Sakers in Changwon in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Seoul Knights' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Seoul Seoul Thunders.
KBL top team - Sakers (36-16) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Sonicboom (25-27) in Busan 87-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sonicboom. The winners were led by Egyptian center Assem Marei (206-1992, college: MSU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists and Kyrin Galloway supported him with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds by American center Johnathan Williams III (206-1995, college: Gonzaga) did not help to save the game for Suwon KT. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 36-16 record. Suwon KT at the other side keeps the seventh place with 27 games lost. LG Sakers will play against KCC Egis (#6) in Busan in the next round where they are favorite. Suwon KT will play at home against Mobis Phoebus and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Incheon between Daegu and Skygunners. Ninth ranked Daegu (16-37) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Skygunners (27-25). Daegu managed to escape with a 2-point win 78-76 on Thursday evening. The best player for the winners was Ricardo Ratliffe who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Kevin Quiambao who recorded 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Daegu maintains ninth position with 16-37 record. Loser Skygunners keeps the fifth place with 25 games lost. They share the position with KCC Egis. Daegu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sono SG will play against the league's second-placed Anyang (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 48: Mobis Phoebus were destroyed by Anyang on the opponent's court 95-71. Wonju DB managed to outperform Seoul Thunders in a home game 80-75. Daegu recorded a loss to Seoul Knights on the road 106-102.



KCC Egis - Seoul Knights 81-79

The most exciting game of round 48 in the KBL took place in Busan. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd ranked Knights (32-20) to sixth ranked Egis (27-25) 81-79 on Wednesday evening. 25 personal fouls committed by Seoul Knights helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Joon-Young Choi (200-1994) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) with 18 points and 8 rebounds and the former international forward Youngjun An (195-1995) scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Knights' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. KCC Egis moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Sono SG. Seoul Knights at the other side keep the third position with 20 games lost. KCC Egis is looking forward to face league's leader LG Sakers in Changwon in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Seoul Knights' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Seoul Seoul Thunders.
Top scorers:
KCC Egis: J.Choi 19+7reb+4ast, U.Heo 14+3reb+4ast, H.Heo 12+5reb+5ast, L.Shawn 11+11reb, K.Kyo-Chang 10+2reb+2ast, H.Dewan 8+6reb+1ast
Seoul Knights: C.Bukyung 18+6reb+2ast, J.Warney 18+8reb+3ast, A.Youngjun 17+8reb+3ast, K.Hyung-Bin 10+4reb+1ast, K.Nakhyeon 9+1reb+4ast, E.Daniel 6+2reb+3ast

Daegu - Sono SG 78-76

A very close game took place in Incheon between Daegu and Skygunners. Ninth ranked Daegu (16-37) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Skygunners (27-25). Daegu managed to escape with a 2-point win 78-76 on Thursday evening. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Ricardo Ratliffe (203-1989, college: Missouri) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. Filipino guard Samjosef Belangel (177-1999) chipped in 26 points. At the other side the best for losing team was Filipino Kevin Quiambao (193-2001) who recorded 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists and American power forward Nathan Knight (208-1997, college: William & Mary) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Four Sono SG players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Daegu maintains ninth position with 16-37 record. Loser Skygunners keeps the fifth place with 25 games lost. They share the position with KCC Egis. Daegu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sono SG will play against the league's second-placed Anyang (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Daegu: B.Samjosef 26+3reb+3ast, R.Ricardo 22+13reb+3ast, M.Kim 15+7reb, S.Jeong 6+2reb+6ast, G.Kim 3, J.Yang 3+4reb+1ast
Sono SG: L.Jeong-Hyeon 18+1reb+5ast, N.Knight 16+7reb+2ast, L.Dong-Seop 10+4reb, K.Quiambao 10+9reb+8ast, K.Ji Hoon 8+1reb, L.Jae-Do 8+4ast

Suwon KT - LG Sakers 60-87

KBL top team - Sakers (36-16) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Sonicboom (25-27) in Busan 87-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sonicboom. LG Sakers outrebounded Suwon KT 44-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. LG Sakers players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Suwon KT's players. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. The winners were led by Egyptian center Assem Marei (206-1992, college: MSU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists and American-Australian forward Kyrin Galloway (203-1999, college: UNCG) supported him with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Five Sakers players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds by American center Johnathan Williams III (206-1995, college: Gonzaga) did not help to save the game for Suwon KT. Guard Sungwook Kang (183-2004) added 13 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 36-16 record. Suwon KT at the other side keeps the seventh place with 27 games lost. LG Sakers will play against KCC Egis (#6) in Busan in the next round where they are favorite. Suwon KT will play at home against Mobis Phoebus and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
LG Sakers: M.Assem 21+15reb+8ast, K.Yu 12+3reb+2ast, G.Kyrin 12+5reb, C.Tamayo 11+4reb+2ast, J.Yang 10+1reb+6ast, I.Jeong 7+5reb+1ast
Suwon KT: K.Sungwook 13+2reb+1ast, J.Williams III 10+13reb+3ast, K.Sun-Hyung 9+2reb+2ast, D.Williams 8+4reb+2ast, J.Moon 6+4reb, J.Park 6+3reb

Anyang - Mobis Phoebus 95-71

Very expected game when 8th ranked Mobis Phoebus (17-35) were crushed on the road by second ranked Anyang (34-18) 95-71 on Saturday. Anyang made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. Anyang outrebounded Mobis Phoebus 40-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American forward Bryce Washington (203-1996, college: Louisiana) who scored 14 points and 8 rebounds. The former international point guard Jihoon Park (184-1995) chipped in 13 points and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Rayshaun Hammonds (206-1998, college: Georgia) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and swingman Jun-Won Jeong (193-1989) added 17 points respectively. Four Mobis Phoebus players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Anyang maintains second position with 34-18 record having just two points less than leader LG Sakers. Mobis Phoebus lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 35 games lost. Anyang will meet Sono SG (#5) in the next round. Mobis Phoebus will play against Suwon KT in Busan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Anyang: W.Bryce 14+8reb+3ast, J.Park 13+3reb+7ast, O.Johnny 12+6reb+1ast, J.Kim 8+5reb+1ast, K.Kim 8+2reb, S.Han 8+4reb+1ast
Mobis Phoebus: R.Hammonds 19+11reb+5ast, J.Jun-Won 17+4reb, K.Geon-ha 10+2reb+6ast, S.Myeong-jin 10+3ast, L.Seounghyun 7+3reb+4ast, C.Kang-Mim 3+2reb

Wonju DB - Seoul Thunders 80-75

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Wonju DB (32-21) defeated at home bottom-ranked Samsung Thunders (15-37) 80-75 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Wonju DB looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Henry Ellenson (208-1997, college: Marquette) who scored 28 points and 7 rebounds. The other American import guard Ethan Alvano (185-1996, college: CSUSM) chipped in 8 points and 11 assists. Alvano is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was Turkish power forward Kerem Kanter (208-1995, college: Xavier) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized American guard Justin Gutang (191-1997, college: Skyline JC) added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Wonju DB have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 32-21 record. Loser Samsung Thunders stay dead last with 37 lost games. Wonju DB will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Seoul Thunders' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Seoul to the arena Seoul Knights.
Top scorers:
Wonju DB: E.Henry 28+7reb+1ast, J.Lee 12+2reb+3ast, J.Hyo-Geun 10+4reb, A.Ethan 8+2reb+11ast, B.Kim 7+4reb+1ast, I.Park 6+5reb+1ast
Seoul Thunders: K.Kanter 21+16reb+5ast, L.Kyutae 13+2reb, L.Kwan-hee 12+2reb+1ast, G.Justin 8+9reb+7ast, H.Ho-Bin 8+3reb+2ast, L.Weon-Seok 4+2reb

Seoul Knights - Daegu 106-102

Not a big story in a game in Seoul where 9th ranked Daegu (16-37) was defeated by third ranked Knights (32-20) 106-102 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Seoul Knights made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 20 long-distance shots on high 57.1 percentage. Seoul Knights looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Nakhyeon Kim (180-1995) chipped in 26 points. Five Knights players scored in double figures. Knights' coach Hee-Chul Chun used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Ricardo Ratliffe (203-1989, college: Missouri) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists and Filipino guard Samjosef Belangel (177-1999) added 27 points and 7 assists respectively. Seoul Knights maintains third position with 32-20 record having four points less than leader LG Sakers. Loser Daegu keeps the ninth place with 37 games lost. Seoul Knights' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Seoul Seoul Thunders.
Top scorers:
Seoul Knights: N.Kim 26+2reb+3ast, W.Jameel 22+14reb+6ast, Y.An 14+3reb+4ast, A.Tolentino 13+5reb+1ast, H.Kim 10+3reb+1ast, S.Oh 10+6reb
Daegu: S.Belangel 27+1reb+7ast, R.Ratliffe 23+17reb+7ast, J.Seong-Woo 22+1reb+7ast, K.Gookchan 9+4reb+1ast, S.Seungmin 9+4reb+1ast, K.Min-Gyu 5