Hyundai Capital, aiming for a unified championship for the first time in 19 years, has secured a 73.7% chance of winning.

Hyundai Capital achieved victory in the first match of the Dodram 2024-2025 season V-League men's championship finals (best of 5) held at the Cheonan Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium on the 1st, with a set score of 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-23).

Leo scored 25 points, and Heo Soo-bong contributed 17 points, combining for a total of 42 points.

Until last season, in 19 men's championship finals, the team that won the first match has claimed victory 14 times. After finishing first in the regular league, Hyundai Capital has gained an advantage by winning the first match, which had a winning probability of 73.7%. Hyundai Capital is challenging for a unified championship for the first time in 19 seasons since the 2005-2006 season.

Hyundai Capital gained momentum from the start of the first set. Though tied at 13-13, Hyundai Capital took control with consecutive points from Leo and Choi Min-ho, seizing a lead by securing 20 points with consecutive blocks from Heo Soo-bong and Jung Tae-jun. Korean Air struggled as RUSSELL's attacks were continuously blocked, and they faltered with a service error from Jeong Ji-seok. Hyundai Capital won the first set comfortably at 25-20. Leo (5 points), Heo Soo-bong (4 points), Jeon Kwang-in, and Jung Tae-jun (each with 3 points) shared the attacking responsibilities.

The second set was a counterattack by Korean Air. With a score of 11-8, Jeong Ji-seok delivered consecutive service aces, extending the lead to 5 points. Hyundai Capital, changing the momentum with a powerful serve from Lee Si-woo, managed to catch up with consecutive blocks from Choi Min-ho and Leo, though a deuce ensued. However, Korean Air displayed their determination, and at 24-24, RUSSELL scored consecutively with a back attack and a quick open to finish the set. RUSSELL scored 8 points, and Jeong Ji-seok, including 2 service aces, came alive with 6 points.

The third set saw Hyundai Capital retaliate. Korean Air took the lead until the middle of the set thanks to Jeong Ji-seok's performance, but Hyundai Capital, centering their play around Choi Min-ho's quick attacks, gradually closed the gap and succeeded in turning the tide in the latter half of the set. Trailing 18-21, they scored 4 consecutive points to turn the score around quickly. With Choi Min-ho's serve disturbing the opponent's reception and causing errors, Hyundai Capital turned the third set around to 25-22, thanks to consecutive blocks from Heo Soo-bong and Jung Tae-jun at 23-22. Choi Min-ho contributed 4 points in the third set.

Ultimately, Hyundai Capital finished it off in the fourth set. A tight back-and-forth battle continued until the mid-point, but Hyundai Capital shone with their focus in the closing moments. At 21-22, Leo succeeded in consecutive scoring to take the lead. At 23-23, Leo broke through three blockers to score a quick open, and Shin Peng blocked Jeong Ji-seok's attack to seal the match point. Leo played the role of a problem-solver again in the fourth set with 8 points.

Hyundai Capital's Leo scored 25 points, including 2 service aces and blocks, and Heo Soo-bong also led the attack with 17 points. Choi Min-ho and Jung Tae-jun each contributed 8 points, providing additional support. Korean Air's RUSSELL scored 27 points, but they self-destructed with 33 errors, which was 9 more than Hyundai Capital.

The second match of the championship finals will be held after a day of rest on the 3rd at the Cheonan Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium.

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