The tension inside Wonju DB Promy Arena on March 24, 2026, was palpable as Wonju DB Promy squared off against Anyang Jeonggwanjang in a crucial regular season clash of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Pro Basketball League. With both teams eyeing higher positions on the leaderboard and postseason hopes on the line, every possession felt like it could tilt the balance. In the end, despite a furious late-game charge, Wonju DB fell just short, dropping a heartbreaker 84-87 to a surging Jeonggwanjang squad.
This loss stung for DB, who now stand at 29 wins and 21 losses, holding on to fourth place but watching the gap widen between themselves and third-place Seoul SK. The defeat was particularly painful as it came at a pivotal moment in their campaign to leapfrog into the upper echelon of the league. Meanwhile, Jeonggwanjang’s narrow victory marked their second consecutive win, pushing their record to 32-17 and bringing them within 1.5 games of the league-leading Changwon LG. The stakes couldn’t have been higher for both clubs.
From the opening tip, DB looked determined to set the tone. Coach Kim Ju-seong had repeatedly stressed the importance of winning the jump ball, and his squad delivered, grabbing early momentum. Orchestrated by the dynamic playmaker Alvano, DB wasted no time in racing out to a lead. Park In-ung, showing a hot hand, poured in three consecutive baskets, helping DB seize a 28-21 advantage by the end of the first quarter. It was a far cry from their earlier lopsided defeat to Jeonggwanjang in the fifth round, and fans in the arena could sense a different energy in the air.
The second quarter saw DB continue to push, at one point extending their lead into double digits. Their offense flowed smoothly, and with the home crowd behind them, it seemed like this could be their night. However, the tide began to turn as turnovers crept in and defensive intensity waned. Jeonggwanjang ramped up their pressure defense, forcing DB into a string of mistakes that chipped away at the lead. By halftime, what had once been a comfortable margin had evaporated, and DB clung to a slim 42-41 edge. It was clear—this one was going down to the wire.
As the second half got underway, the battle only intensified. Alvano continued to orchestrate the attack, dishing out assists and keeping the offense ticking, while Park In-ung’s outside shooting kept DB within striking distance. But Jeonggwanjang’s foreign import Johnny O’Bryant began to impose his will in the paint, and DB’s defense struggled to contain him. According to reports, "DB lost their lead in the second quarter due to turnovers and failed to contain Johnny O'Bryant's scoring in the third quarter." The visitors took advantage, outscoring DB and flipping the script to lead 63-57 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter opened with a blitz from Jeonggwanjang. O’Bryant, Park Ji-hoon, Han Seung-hee, and Byun Jun-hyung combined for a rapid 12 points, stretching the lead to 75-57 in the blink of an eye. The DB faithful sat in stunned silence as their team’s defense crumbled and Jeonggwanjang’s offense ran rampant. It looked like the game might slip away entirely, but DB wasn’t ready to surrender. Alvano, showing the kind of grit and leadership that has defined his season, sparked a comeback with a flurry of drives, pick-and-rolls, and a crucial three-pointer. Park In-ung and Seo Min-soo joined the charge, hitting from beyond the arc and slashing to the rim.
With just over two minutes left, DB had clawed their way back to within two points, trailing 80-82. The arena was rocking, and the momentum seemed to be swinging. "DB's late rally led by Alvano and Park In-ung made the game close until the end," as one review put it. The teams traded baskets and defensive stops, ratcheting up the drama with every tick of the clock. But fate had one final twist in store.
With 11 seconds remaining, DB’s defense was called for a costly foul on Byun Jun-hyung as he attempted a three-pointer. The foul, which came at the worst possible moment, handed Jeonggwanjang the chance to seal the game from the free-throw line. As the crowd held its breath, Byun calmly stepped up and knocked down his shots, putting the visitors up by three. DB had one last gasp—Park In-ung, who had been hot all night, got a look at a tying three-pointer, but his shot rattled off the rim, and with it, DB’s hopes for a dramatic finish faded away.
Individual performances stood out in the defeat. Alvano was a force, pouring in 25 points and handing out 8 assists, doing everything he could to keep his team in contention. Park In-ung was equally impressive, tallying 18 points and providing the spark during DB’s late rally. But as the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that the early fourth-quarter defensive collapse and a handful of critical mistakes had cost DB dearly. "The loss was painful as it came at a critical moment for DB's bid to rise to 2nd place," summed up the mood in the home locker room.
Jeonggwanjang, for their part, showed why they are closing in on the top spot in the standings. Their balanced attack, highlighted by O’Bryant’s dominance inside and timely scoring from Park Ji-hoon, Han Seung-hee, and Byun Jun-hyung, proved too much for DB to handle over four quarters. Coach Yoo Do-hoon even joked about his team’s jump ball tactics before the game, saying, “Should I put someone other than Johnny O'Bryant out there, or maybe line up four of our players in the backcourt?” That lighthearted approach clearly didn’t hurt the team’s focus when it mattered most.
The aftermath leaves both teams with plenty to ponder. For DB, the focus now shifts to regrouping and addressing the defensive lapses that have plagued them in key moments. They won the jump ball as Coach Kim Ju-seong had hoped, but as the saying goes, it’s not how you start—it’s how you finish. Their next test comes quickly, with a matchup against Goyang Sono Arena scheduled for March 28 at 2 PM. The road ahead remains challenging, but with Alvano and Park In-ung in form, there’s still plenty of fight left in this squad.
For Jeonggwanjang, the win keeps their momentum rolling and their sights firmly set on catching Changwon LG at the top of the table. With just 1.5 games separating them from first place, and a roster firing on all cylinders, the race for the regular season crown is far from over. Basketball fans across the league will be watching closely as both teams look to write the next chapter in this thrilling campaign.