 |
| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
|
 |
| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
|
The final round of the Park Shin-ja Cup in 2025 was confirmed as the Japanese team 'Home Fight'. Cheongju KB Stars, South Korea's last hope, bowed their heads at the final threshold.
Cheongju KB Stars lost 73-78 in the semifinals of the '2025 Park Shin-ja Cup' against Fujitsu Red Wave (Japan) at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 6th. With this, Fujitsu is aiming for the top of two consecutive tournaments. Fujitsu will play the final match against Denso Iris (Japan) at 5 p.m. on the 7th. Denso beat Zaragoza (Spain) 70–64 in the semifinals earlier. As a result, the Park Shin-ja Cup was confirmed to have won three consecutive Japanese teams after Toyota in 2023 and Fujitsu in 2024.
 |
| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
|
 |
| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
|
KB started the tournament in Group B. It lost 73 to 78 to DVTK (Hungary), but later defeated Bucheon Hana Bank (84:50), Incheon Shinhan Bank (72:52) and Denso (83:82). He advanced to the semi-finals as the top of the group, beating Denso in his opponent's record.
Fujitsu competed with Busan BNK (62-52), Yongin Samsung Life Insurance (68-57), Zaragoza (67:80) and Asan Woori Bank (64:63) in Group A. He had three wins and one loss. However, he lost in the opponent's match and reached the semifinals as second place in the group.
KB aimed to regain the top spot for the first time in four years following 2021. The sense of responsibility was even greater as he was the only Korean team to reach the semifinals. There were injury variables. 'Ace'Park Ji-soo injured his shoulder at the FIBA Women's Basketball Asia Cup and is concentrating on rehabilitation. During the competition, Lee Chae-eun, Lee Yun-mi, and Na Yoon-jung were left due to injuries one after another.
Against this, Fujitsu is the winning team of the last tournament. In the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons, he also won the W-League combined championship.
 |
| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
|
 |
| Photo courtesy=WKBL |
|
Fujitsu got off to a good start in the first quarter. In 10-10 situations, Fujimoto Aki took the lead with consecutive points. KB immediately called in the operation time and cleared up the battle line. Kang Yi-seul and Song Yoon-ha scored to turn the game around 18-16.
In the second quarter, the two teams played a tight game. Fujitsu showed his concentration first. Yuki Miyazawa scored one after another. KB asked for the operation time. Heo Ye-eun responded with a 3-pointer. Fujitsu also immediately called the time. Fujitsu widened the score gap with Saki Hanashi and Kiho Miyashita scoring three-point shots in a row. Fujitsu closed the first half with a 45-30 lead.
The gap widened in the second half. Fujitsu aimed for the outskirts of KB. KB was rocked. It fell to 33-54 just four minutes into the third quarter. KB tried to turn the tables through the operation time. Kang Yi-seul and Heo Ye-eun chased after them by launching a scoring shot. KB finished the third quarter with a 50-61 chase.
KB was in the mood at the beginning of the fourth quarter as well. Kang Yi-seul scored under the basket on Heo Ye-eun's 3-pointer. It followed 68-73 with 3:05 left in the game. Frustrated, Fujitsu asked for an operation time. KB's fingertips were hot. Kang Yi-seul's score led him to a three-point deficit. However, Fujitsu put out the urgent fire with the score of Kiho Miyashita, and on the contrary, KB left a regret with an error. KB asked for the last operation time and tried to overturn it. Yang Ji-soo chased after him with a foul of scoring. However, it ended without turning the game around. Fujitsu won the ticket to the final.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
