Tough ‘Three Guards’ – Kyunghyang Shinmun

Stop the opponent from carrying the ball and force a fast attack
Seongwoo Jeong, the main player, solidifies the ‘strong defensive team’

Daegu Korea Gas Corporation is this season’s dark horse. KOGAS, which failed to advance to spring basketball by finishing in the lower ranks the past two seasons, became the strongest team in the early part of the season with tireless and tough basketball this season.

KOGAS won 91-76 against Seoul SK in the 2024-2025 KCC professional basketball game held at Daegu Indoor Stadium on the 3rd, rising to sole first place in the league. After losing against Changwon LG in the season opener, they are on a 5-game winning streak. Kang Hyeok, manager of Korea Gas Corporation, said, “The players are doing better than I expected,” and “It’s thanks to the players.”

Coach Kang’s ‘three guard’ strategy, which was the league’s leading guard, is shining. In the first quarter, Nak-Hyeon Kim came out as one guard and teamed up with Andrew Nicholson to look for shooting opportunities, while Seong-Woo Jeong and Belangel came in as two guards and played a pressing defense at the front. All three guards come on the court to cut off the opponent’s ball movement and aim for a quick score. Kim Nak-hyun and Jeong Seong-woo’s defensive skills and Belangel’s quick feet created synergy.

Coach Kang is responding to the players’ feedback and shaping KOGAS’ basketball. Nak-Hyeon Kim said, “I tend to improve my performance by touching the ball, but Seong-Woo Jeong and Belangel have better ball control than me, so I told the coach, ‘I will go out as a starter, improve my sense of the ball, and drive from the front in the 3rd and 4th quarters, whether it is two guards or three guards. “I suggested, ‘Wouldn’t it be better to hit it?’” he said. “The coach listens well because he has good communication with the players.”

KOGAS’ average 3-point shooting score is 11.5 points, making it the only team in the league to score in double digits. While Nicholson, Belangel, and Nak-Hyun Kim are consistently active as 3-point shooters, sixth man Jeong-Hoon Kwak’s outside shot also exploded. Kwak Jeong-hoon said, “I practice shooting a lot in the morning, afternoon, and night. “During home games, I come out an hour early and practice shooting,” he said. “The coach, (Kim) Nak-hyeon, and (Jeong) Seong-woo told me to throw without hesitation, so I threw confidently and got good results.”

KOGAS is solidifying its reputation as a strong defensive team. Using the front guards, apply pressure from above to quickly regain the right to attack. Seong-Woo Jeong, a key member of Korea Gas Corporation’s defense, said, “Basketball is a sport where physical fighting is allowed. “(After changing the foul call standard) we were able to play a tougher defense,” he said.

The phrase ‘Let’s win’ is written on the strategy board in the KOGAS’ home locker room. It was clear that the team was able to dominate the early stages of the league.