Anyang Jeong Kwan-jang coach Yoo Do-hoon took responsibility for his team’s narrow 60-57 victory over Busan KCC on Friday, attributing the hard-fought win to defensive effort but acknowledging errors in his game management, according to reports from South Korean sports outlets.
The victory, secured at Jeong Kwan-jang Arena in Anyang, allowed Jeong Kwan-jang to achieve their most consecutive wins of the season, though it failed to displace KCC from the league lead. Both teams now share a record of 6 wins and 2 losses in the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Professional Basketball season.
Coach Yoo expressed regret for his decision to not substitute key players, Byun Joon-hyung and Johnny O’Brien, late in the third quarter, a choice he believes contributed to KCC’s aggressive comeback. “It was a game won by defense, but there was my fault in aggressive game management,” Yoo said, as reported by Sports Chosun. He further admitted to lacking experience in making such operational decisions, noting the visible fatigue of even Lens Abando later in the game.
The game saw Jeong Kwan-jang initially build a substantial 18-point lead, only to see it dwindle as KCC mounted a strong challenge in the second half. Despite the close finish, Yoo emphasized the importance of allowing players opportunities to score when needed, even if it meant risking fatigue.
KCC coach Lee Sang-min likewise took accountability for his team’s loss, acknowledging a need for more careful game management. He praised his players’ resilience in fighting back from a significant deficit, but conceded that adjustments were necessary. Heo Woong struggled under pressure from the opposing defense, contributing to a crucial turnover in the final seconds of the game.
Jeong Kwan-jang’s recent success follows a period of underperformance, having finished ninth in the 2023-2024 regular season and reaching the playoff semifinals in 2024-2025 before being eliminated. Coach Yoo took over the team in April 2025, inheriting a squad that had not seen significant reinforcement. Despite initial skepticism, Jeong Kwan-jang currently holds second place in the league standings.
Prior to returning to coaching with Jeong Kwan-jang, Yoo Do-hoon spent two years away from the court after his tenure with Korea Gas Corporation ended in the 2022-2023 season. His return has been lauded by fans, who are attributing the team’s improved performance to his leadership. In a recent interview, Yoo expressed his commitment to supporting his players and maintaining the team’s positive momentum.
In a separate October 12th match, Jeong Kwan-jang suffered an 80-83 loss to Seoul Samsung, a result Coach Yoo also attributed to his own shortcomings, stating, “It’s my fault.” He cited the team’s fatigue from a back-to-back schedule and conceded allowing Samsung too many three-point opportunities. The loss left Jeong Kwan-jang with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses, failing to secure sole possession of first place.
Lee Je-hoon, known as the “Taxi Hero” from the television show Taxi Driver, recently participated in a basketball challenge on the SBS show “Whenever There’s a Gap,” alongside Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Hyeon-seok, and Pyo Ye-jin, highlighting the continued public interest in basketball within South Korea.
