South Korea faces elimination after fourth-quarter collapse against Taiwan in basketball qualifiers

The South Korean men's national basketball team is on the brink of elimination from the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers after suffering a heartbreaking 82-80 defeat to Taiwan. This marks the team's third consecutive loss in the first round of the B group qualifiers.

Head coach Kim Majule expressed his disappointment, citing a critical fourth-quarter collapse as the primary reason for the loss. "It was a truly disappointing game. The momentum we held through the third quarter slipped away in the fourth," Majule stated in a post-game press conference.

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It was a truly disappointing game. The momentum we held through the third quarter slipped away in the fourth.

He specifically pointed to the team's inability to contain Taiwan's naturalized player, Brandon Gilbeck, who dominated with 26 points and 18 rebounds. "In the fourth quarter, we couldn't properly defend Brandon Gilbeck. We struggled with our half-court offense after Lee Jung-hyun (Son O) got injured, which gave Taiwan confidence and handed them the momentum," Majule reflected.

Despite strong performances from Yeo Jun-seok (15 points) and Lee Jung-hyun (13 points), along with a double-double from Jang Jae-seok (11 points, 10 rebounds), South Korea could not secure the victory. The absence of key player Lee Jung-hyun in the crucial final quarter proved detrimental. The loss places significant pressure on the team as they aim to avoid early elimination from the tournament.

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In the fourth quarter, we couldn't properly defend Brandon Gilbeck. We struggled with our half-court offense after Lee Jung-hyun (Son O) got injured, which gave Taiwan confidence and handed them the momentum.