In front of 4171 spectators at the Gangseo Hall in Busan, Bulgarian opposite hitter Dimitar Dimitrov delivered a true spectacle, which can easily be called one of the strongest individual performances in the V-League this season. With 33 points, 5 (!) blocks, 1 ace, and 63% attack efficiency, he was not just the top scorer for OK Savings Bank, but became the symbol of an epic comeback, achieved with character, class, and an iron psyche.
Dimitrov carried the weight of the match at a moment when OK Savings Bank was pushed against the wall after being down 0:2 sets. The Bulgarian attacked without hesitation, read the opponent's game on block, and in the most tense rallies showed why he is a leading figure in the squad. His five blocks – a rarity for an opposite hitter – were not just statistics, but a direct blow to the confidence of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance.
OK Savings Bank defeated Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance 3:2 (25:27, 23:25, 25:18, 25:22, 17:15) sets after 2 hours and 50 minutes of an exhausting and bloody battle. The hosts were trailing 0:2 sets, but turned the match around with more aggressive blocking, stable defense, and lethal attack efficiency.
The third set was the turning point – 25:18, after which OK Savings Bank dictated the rhythm. In the fourth set, a series of blocks, led by Park Chang-seong, tipped the scales, and in the tie-break, the drama reached its last possible limit.
In the fifth set, with tension at its peak and even after a red card and the ejection of head coach Shin Yong-chol, the hosts did not break. The final blow came from Dimitar Dimitrov himself – a powerful back-row attack that closed the match and ignited the stands.
With this success, OK Savings Bank recorded its third consecutive victory, improved its record to 12 wins and 11 losses (35 points), and tied KEPCO in points in the battle for fourth place. The team also solidified its superiority over Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance this season – 3 wins against 1 loss.
For the visitors, the defeat was particularly painful, as Ah Hee scored a phenomenal 45 points – a season record, but in crucial moments, his attacks were stopped one after another by OK Savings Bank's block.
In a match that will be remembered for its drama, intensity, and the roar of the full stands, Dimitar Dimitrov didn't just stand out – he left his mark. It was a night where the Bulgarian name resonated most strongly in Busan.
photos: KOVO
