"Great Person" coach Wi Seong-woo has surpassed coach Lim Dal-sik.
Asan Woori Bank defeated Cheongju KB Stars 58-52 in the "Hana Bank 2024-25 Women's Professional Basketball Playoffs Semifinals Game 1" held at Asan Iksun Gymnasium on the 2nd, taking the lead. Woori Bank advances to the championship series with two more wins.
Leading 19-13 from the first quarter, Woori Bank held KB Stars to just 5 points in the second quarter. By the middle of the third quarter, Woori Bank had pulled ahead 40-22, seizing the momentum.
However, in the second half, Heo Yeo-eun's three-point shot sparked a fierce comeback from KB Stars. Heo Yeo-eun, who had only 2 points in the first half, exploded with 17 points in the second half.
Adding to the difficulties, ace Kim Dan-bi was hindered by four fouls, becoming less aggressive. Woori Bank weathered the crisis with Lee Myeong-kwan contributing 17 points. Kim Dan-bi recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block to lead the team.
With this victory, coach Wi Seong-woo achieves a total of 34 playoff wins, tying with coach Lim Dal-sik (34 wins, 7 losses, 82.9%), who holds the record for most wins. Coach Wi Seong-woo has a playoff record of 34 wins and 11 losses. If Woori Bank wins Game 2, coach Wi Seong-woo will take sole possession of the most wins record.
After the game, coach Wi Seong-woo said regarding the achievement of the record, "It doesn’t have much significance. I have achieved it because I have been coaching for a long time. The players have worked hard. I have never thought about the record. I will prepare well for the next game," he added humbly.
Coach Wi Seong-woo, who previously served as an assistant coach under coach Lim Dal-sik during the "Real Shinhan" era, took over Asan Woori Bank in 2012 and has firmly established himself as the greatest coach in the history of women's professional basketball.
In the harsh world of professional sports, most coaches last less than a year. The fact that coach Wi Seong-woo has maintained the top position for over 13 years speaks to his greatness. Kim Dan-bi, who once played as the youngest member of "Real Shinhan," is now spending her final years as a player alongside coach Wi Seong-woo.
Kim Dan-bi expressed great admiration for coach Wi Seong-woo's record for the most wins, saying, "It's an incredible record. Making it to the playoffs is difficult, and achieving the most wins is quite remarkable. It's an honor to be playing alongside him as a player. Both Lim Dal-sik and Wi Seong-woo have left remarkable legacies. I consider it an honor to learn from both of them as a basketball player."
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