What started out as a dream scenario ended up as heartbreak for RJ Abarrientos and Ulsan Hyundai Mobis.
The Phoebus were dealt a 71-77 loss by the Goyang Carrot Jumpers to bow out of the 2023 Korean Basketball League playoffs, Monday at Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Ulsan who was able to draw first blood in the series after an 86-71 win two Sundays ago.
Though Goyang was able to level with an 86-79 win in Game 2, the Phoebus took Game 3 with an 84-69 win last Thursday.
The Carrot Jumpers forced the decider last Saturday after an 80-87 win in Goyang.
This time around, a 10-point second quarter doomed Ulsan, falling behind 41-30 at the half.
Slowly, the Phoebus were able to cut the lead, chopping it down to 75-71 after a Gaige Prim basket with 54 ticks left.
However, a costly turnover by Lee Weonseok led to a Jeon Seonghyen dagger with nine seconds remaining.
Goyang will now face Rhenz Abando and Anyang KGC in the semis.
Dedric Lawson and Lee Junghyun were once again at the forefront of the Goyang attack with the former finishing with 30 points and 13 boards while the latter fired 24 points after going 10-of-18 from the field.
Abarrientos only had five points in his last game for the season.
Prim paced the Phoebus with 27 points and nine rebounds while Lee Woosuk and Seo Myeongjin added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
