Justin Gutang and Changwon LG fell short in Game One of the best-of-five 2023 KBL Semifinals, bowing to Seoul SK, 68-73, Friday at Changwon Gymnasium.
During the elimination round, the Knights, who swept Calvin Epistola and Jeonju KCC in the quarterfinals, won their last two outings against the Sakers.
This time around, the defending champions relied on Jameel Warney to do the heavy lifting. Warney played 35 minutes in the game, finishing with 28 points and 19 rebounds.
Supporting Warney were Choi Bukyung, who got 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Kim Sunhyung, who added 13 markers.
Gutang only played 13 minutes for the Sakers, tallying two points, three assists, and three rebounds.
Reggie Perry paced LG with 17 points and five rebounds while Dante Cunningham added 12 points and five assists.
Kim Junil chipped in 11 markers as well.
Game Two will be on Sunday at the same venue.
