The race to the 2025–2026 Korean Basketball League (KBL) finals took a dramatic turn as two semifinal series delivered completely different storylines—one teetering on a sweep, the other suddenly wide open.
At the Changwon Indoor Gymnasium, the Goyang Sono Skygunners pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the defending champions, Changwon LG Sakers, 85–76, and seize a commanding 2–0 lead in their best-of-five semifinal series.
Down by nine at halftime, Sono flipped the switch in the second half behind a relentless performance from Filipino standout Kevin Quiambao. The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay delivered 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out four assists in another all-around effort that silenced the home crowd and put the top-seeded Sakers on the brink of elimination.
Import Nathan Knight provided strong support with 21 points and eight rebounds, helping fuel Sono’s second straight road victory. The win also adds to a daunting trend—teams that go up 2–0 in KBL semifinals have historically advanced to the finals every time.
Quiambao’s high-octane showing included a spirited matchup against fellow Filipino and Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Carl Tamayo, turning Game 2 into a showcase of rising Philippine talent on the international stage.
With Game 3 shifting to their home floor at the Goyang Sono Arena, the Skygunners now have a chance to close out the series and punch their ticket to the championship round.
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal clash, the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang (JKJ) Red Boosters refused to back down.
After a lopsided loss in Game 1, Anyang responded with a gritty 91–83 victory over the Busan KCC Egis to level the series at one game apiece. The bounce-back win showcased their resilience, as the team overcame an early deficit and took control in the middle quarters.
American reinforcement Johnny O’Bryant powered the charge with a dominant double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor.
Filipino high-flyer Rhenz Abando chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, and an assist, shaking off a quiet opener to help Anyang regain momentum and get back at their Game 1 tormentors.
The series now heads to the Busan Sajik Gymnasium in Busan, South Korea, for a pivotal Game 3, where both squads will battle for control in what has quickly become a tightly contested, high-stakes matchup.