KCC’s Historic Journey: Can They Become the First 6th Seed Champions in KBL History?

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Busan KCC extended its Finals winning streak to three games and inched closer to making pro basketball history. After surrendering a late lead, the team turned the game around with one second left, leaving them one win shy of becoming the first No. 6 regular-season seed to capture the KBL title.

KCC defeated Goyang Sono 88-87 in Game 3 of the 2025-2026 KBL Finals at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 9th. With victories in Game 1 (75-67) and Game 2, KCC’s 3-0 start in the series keeps them on pace. Historically, teams that take the first three games of the Finals have gone on to win the championship in every previous instance (5-for-5, 100%).

The contest wasn’t simple. KCC committed six turnovers in the first half, and key forward Choi Jun-yong picked up his fourth personal foul with roughly three minutes left in the second quarter. He returned in the fourth, but was forced out on his fifth foul less than two minutes later. Still, KCC didn’t falter.

Shaun Long was the difference-maker. He controlled the paint with 27 points and 15 rebounds, then calmly sank two free throws with one second remaining to deliver the decisive points. Heo Ung added 17 points and seven assists, Heo Hoon finished with 16 points and 10 assists, and Song Gyo-chang contributed 10 points. Choi Jun-yong made his presence felt in limited minutes, finishing with 14 points and five rebounds in 18:35 of play.

The game swung in the final minute. KCC pushed the lead to 80-69, an 11-point advantage, but Sono mounted a fierce comeback. Lee Jung-hyun cut the gap to 85-86 with 46.1 seconds left and then put Sono ahead 87-86 on a drive with two seconds remaining. On the final possession, Long drew a foul and knocked down both free throws to complete the dramatic finish.

For Sono, Lee finished with 19 points, Im Dong-seop added 18 points and five rebounds, and Kevin Kembao posted 17 points and 11 rebounds, but the team fell into a three-game skid. KCC, meanwhile, has ridden an overwhelming postseason run: 3-0 in the first-round/top-six playoffs, 3-1 in the semifinals, and now 3-0 in the Finals for a 9-1 postseason record. A Game 4 win on the 10th would cement KCC as the KBL’s first No. 6 seed to win the championship.

Photo: Provided by KBL / Yonhap Newsn