Can Rhenz Abando help reinforce Anyang Jung Kwan Jang’s defensive wall?
Coach Yoo Do-hoon and Anyang Jung Kwan Jang begin their semifinal playoff series against Busan KCC with more questions than answers — particularly on the defensive end.
The Jung Kwan Jang secured a direct trip to the semifinals after finishing second in the regular season. The KCC, meanwhile, surged into the matchup as the No. 6 seed, knocking off third-seeded the DB after finally getting healthy and assembling a full-strength lineup.
Jung Kwan Jang dominated the season series at 5-1, but with KCC never at full strength, that edge comes with a major asterisk.
Yoo’s primary concern isn’t KCC’s firepower — it’s his own team’s condition.
Defensive contributors Kim Young-hyun (shoulder) and Park Jung-woong (thigh) are both dealing with injuries, leaving Jung Kwan Jang thin when it comes to size and versatility on the wing. Against KCC’s bigger forwards, including Choi Jun-yong and Song Kyo-chang — both listed at 200 cm — Jung Kwan Jang lacks ideal matchups. Han Seung-hee (196 cm) has shown flashes, but asking him to handle those assignments over the course of a series is a tall order.
That’s where Rhenz Abando enters the equation.
Yoo told the Jumpball that increasing Abando’s minutes is under consideration, hoping his athleticism can compensate for the size disadvantage.
Abando’s defensive profile is as intriguing as it is inconsistent. At 187 cm, he doesn’t have prototypical size, but his explosiveness and quickness allow him to disrupt bigger players. He averaged just 0.9 blocks per game this season, yet recorded multiple blocks in double-digit games — a testament to his timing and verticality. Even established forwards, including Ahn Young-jun, have fallen victim to his weakside contests.
Known for his dunk contest explosiveness, Abando is now making waves with his shot-blocking, turning defense into highlight material.
Still, there are concerns.
His team defense has yet to fully meet Yoo’s standards, and his perimeter shooting has been unreliable. Abando shot just 27.8% from three across 48 games this season, limiting his offensive impact and contributing to his inconsistent role.
Even so, his athleticism alone could pose problems for KCC’s bigger lineup.
“Our players will take on more responsibility and step up,” Yoo said. “We trust them and will prepare accordingly for KCC.”
Now it comes down to this: can Abando shift the momentum?
Game 1 of the semifinal series tips off April 24 at Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Arena.
By Daebum Son, Jiwook Jung | Photos by Jumpball DB
This translation was reviewed with the assistance of AI.
[저작권자ⓒ 점프볼. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
