Huons have claimed their first PBA Team League round title in the franchise's six seasons of existence.
On Day 8 of the Welcome Savings Bank PBA Team League Hwaseong Special City Tour 2026-2027, held Wednesday at the Hwaseong Comprehensive Sports Town indoor gymnasium in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Huons defeated NH NongHyup Card 4-3 on sets. With 20 points (8 wins), Huons clinched the Round 2 title early, regardless of the outcome of their final round match against Hana Card.
Huons struggled early, ceding control to NH NongHyup Card. In Set 1, the pair of Kang Dong-gung and Robinson Morales (Colombia) fell to Jo Jae-ho and Ma Min Kem (Vietnam) 7-11. Kim Ye-eun and Seo Han-sol leveled the match in Set 2 with a 9-5 (6 innings) win over Kim Bo-mi and Jeong Su-bin, but Huons dropped Sets 3 and 4 in succession to fall behind 1-3.
It was "Hulk" Kang Dong-gung who turned the tide. Kang dispatched Ma Min Kem 11-6 in just three innings in Set 5 to pull one back. Kim Se-yeon then beat Kim Min-a 9-5 (5 innings) in Set 6 to force a decisive seventh set. In that final frame, Ngo Dinh Nai (Vietnam) edged Dao Van Ly (Vietnam) 11-7 (6 innings) to complete a dramatic comeback victory.
Founded in the 2021-2022 season, Huons had spent every season in the lower half of the standings without once reaching the postseason. Last season, they finished last in the regular season, a further blow to the franchise's pride.
Heading into this season, however, Huons emerged as title contenders after drafting Kang Dong-gung, Ngo, Kim Ye-eun and Seo Han-sol. The pairing of Kang and Choi Seong-won drew wide attention as a formidable combination.
By winning Round 2 this season, Huons also clinched their first-ever postseason berth. The team had finished first in Round 2 of the 2021-2022 season, but no round-winner system existed at the time.
With the round title secured, Huons will chase a historic mark in their Round 2 finale against Hana Card. A win would make them only the second team to go unbeaten through a round, following NH NongHyup Card's perfect run in Round 3 of the 2023-2024 season. It would also give Huons 10 consecutive wins, making them just the third team in Team League history to achieve that feat, after NH NongHyup Card and SK Rent-a-Car.
Meanwhile, second-place Crown Haitai (6 wins, 2 losses, 16 points) beat Harim 4-2 on sets but was eliminated from round-title contention. Hana Card extended their winning streak to three with a 4-1 set victory over High1 Resort, while Welcome Savings Bank snapped a three-match losing skid by beating Breakers 4-2. SY also downed Woori Financial Capital 4-1.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
