Could it be a championship game without Woori Bank or KB Stars? Will the Warring States Era begin?
In the past 10 years, there has been no championship match in which Woori Bank or KB Stars failed to advance. Will the Warring States Era begin this season?
The WKBL offseason was truly the 'best.' Amid active transfers by major free agents, Jihyun Shin (Shinhan Bank) left the beloved Bucheon Hana One Q through a trade. The Asian Quarter Draft will also take place in Japan in June.
Asan Woori Bank and Cheongju KB Stars, which faced off in the championship match last season, were both weak. At Woori Bank, Park Hye-jin (BNK Thumb), Choi Lee-sam (Shinhan Bank), and Na Yoon-jung (KB Stars) left, and Park Ji-hyun (Australia) tried to play in the overseas league. After recruiting free agent Shim Sung-young, Han Um-ji, Lee Da-yeon, and Kim Ye-jin were recruited as compensation players, but it is true that their objective power has weakened compared to last season.
Fortunately, Woori Bank quickly reorganized its power, but KB Stars suffered an unexpected departure. Park Ji-soo, who is considered to be more than the core of the team's power, has advanced to the Tourky League. As the free agent market was closed, KB Stars could not immediately supply players to fill Park's gap.
The competition for winning tickets, which has been divided between Woori Bank and KB Stars, is expected to be fiercer than ever. A total of 12 championship games have been held since the 2010-2011 season, when Incheon Shinhan Bank (then Ansan Shinhan Bank) and Yongin Samsung Life Insurance faced off, except for the 2019-2020 season, when the playoffs were not held due to COVID-19, and Woori Bank and KB Stars always had more than one team in the championship game.
Woori Bank has built a dynasty by appearing in the competition nine times and winning eight times. KB Stars has made it seven times and won two times. There have been four championship matches between Woori Bank and KB Stars.
While Woori Bank and KB Stars have clearly weakened their power, other teams have significantly strengthened their power. Bucheon Hana One Q has even recruited Jinan following the domestic rabbit crackdown, and Busan BNK Thumb has brought Park Hye-jin and Sonia Kim. Samsung Life Insurance has not strengthened its power except for Kim Areum, who was brought in as compensation by Shin Seul (Shinhan Bank), but the outlook is brighter than any other team.
Will the championship match between Woori Bank and KB Stars be held for the first time since the 2010-2011 season? Ahn Deok-soo, a KBSN commentator, said, "Woori Bank is without Park Ji-hyun, but Kim Dan-bi, the centerpiece, remains. We also recruited Shim Sung-young and Kim Ye-jin. Although there is Kang Yi-seul, it looks different from KB, where Park Ji-soo left. Woori is still curious about this season, but KB Stars is worth fighting for from the other team's perspective. That's the difference between having an ace and not having an ace."
It is clear that the power has weakened, but it means that Woori Bank can still aim for the top ranks or higher. Meanwhile, MBC Sports Plus commentator Kim Il-doo predicted that Han Um-ji, who met with director Sang-woo, "I think I will be a candidate for skills development."
It is too early to discuss the outcome of the season as the final variable, the Asian quarter, is still left, but it is clear that the era of the war between spring and autumn is likely to come. Commentator Kim Il-doo also said, "It looks like it will be an all-time fun season. A team will not be helpless. I don't know who will make it to the championship." "Samsung Life Insurance is looking forward to Ha Sang-yoon's leadership, and Hana One Q said, "If we recruit good guards through the Asian quarter, it is worth a try."
Commentator Ahn Deok-soo also predicted the progress of Hana One Q, which advanced to the playoffs for the first time last season, and BNK Thumb, which was in last place. Commentator Ahn Deok-soo said, "BNK Thumb did a good job reinforcing its power. I'm looking forward to it because it has a wide range of options. Hana One Q also has a structure that can lead to its first championship game or event." He predicted, "Samsung Life Insurance is now able to produce results through its accumulated prospects."