Seoul SK won the 2023-2024 EASL (East Asian Super League) Final Four 94-79 against Anyang Jeonggwanjang at the Lapurapu City Hoops Dome in Cebu, the Philippines. SK will play the Chiba Jets on the 10th for the title. The prize money for the championship and runner-up is 1 million U.S. dollars and 500,000 dollars, respectively.
It was a match held in the Philippines, but it was easy to see Korean fans watching the match wearing SK and Chung Kwan-jang's uniforms. In particular, SK had six fans huddled together and cheered. A source from Chung said, "I think we brought a cheering squad."
They shouted "SK!" and "Defence!" but surprisingly, they had never met before. They came to the Philippines in pairs and coincidentally purchased tickets in a similar area and formed a united team on the spot. "The princesses got together on the spot," they said.
In particular, Park was so sincere that she came to the Philippines by changing her schedule. "I came to the Philippines after returning from Hong Kong earlier than expected. I also bought cookies to give to Oh Jae-hyun from Hong Kong," Park said with a smile. The "Jenny Cookie" that Park bought was so popular that it caused a chaos in Hong Kong.
Park Ji-woo said, "Student gyms are full of excitement in singing and cheering, but SK doesn't play here." Not only that, but thanks to the presence of Abando, local fans were very vociferous in cheering for Jeonggwanjang. They chanted the songs of the players together, thinking that they could not lose. As the prize money is high, I hope SK wins the championship. I hope I can play in the EASL again after finishing the regular league well."
Moon Kyung-seo, a member of Park's group, also said, "I cheered for you with a single heart," while adding, "I'm a big fan of Kim Sun-hyung, but I'm so happy that you didn't come (laughs). I hope SK will win the championship to the princesses in Cebu and the princesses in Korea."
When I looked around the stands, I saw that there was something else. Most of the fans visited the gym with their acquaintances, but Choi's fan, Lee Cho-rom, watched the game alone from behind the bench. "I asked my friend to go with me, but he said he wouldn't, so I came alone. I arrived early in the morning on the day of the game, but I was a little scared because it was my first time in the Philippines," Lee said.
Lee Chorom started playing basketball this season, but he was as loyal as his long-time fans. He went all the way to Taiwan to watch the face-off between Chung Kwan-jang and the Fubon Braves in Group A. "I've been to Anyang Gymnasium for 14 times this season, and I've won just one," Lee Chorom said with a bitter smile. 토토사이트
Although Chung was evaluated as inferior in objective power, he faced SK in the first half. He finished the first quarter with a 26-23 lead, and when the second quarter ended, the gap was only 5 points (40-45).
The interview with Lee Cho-rom took place at half-time. "It is quite quiet compared to the KBL game, but the performance is much better compared to the in-person game in Anyang," Lee Cho-rom said. "I have always been one-sidedly pushed back whenever I meet SK, but today (8th) is still a game worth watching." "I failed in the regular league, but I hope I can win here and earn some foreign currency."
Contrary to Lee Cho-rom's wishes, SK, which was supported by the unified Korean soccer fans, laughed. "I thought the atmosphere would be like an expedition, but I was able to concentrate on the game because (Philippine fans) only cheered for us," Oh said. Rather, I played harder because SK fans sang along from behind the bench. The fans' support gave me a lot of strength. I talked with them after the game, and they said they would come to watch the final. I will win the title with their support."
Though Chung failed to make it to the final, he still has the chance to earn foreign currency that Lee Cho-rom wanted. Chung will play the third-place match against the New Taipei Kings on Thursday over 250,000 U.S. dollars in prize money.