Pakistan's Usman scores a career-high 33 as KEPCO outlasts Samsung Fire

Two quiet games, then a breakout. Usman Fayyaz Ali, the Pakistan international in his first V-League season, delivered a career-best 33 points as KEPCO beat Samsung Fire 3-1.

What happened?

The match was played on Tuesday at Chungmu Gymnasium in Daejeon, in the men's division of the 2026-27 V-League (South Korea's pro volleyball league). KEPCO won 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 35-33.

Usman, KEPCO's new Asian quota signing, hit at 60% and led the team in scoring. In his first two games he had managed just 12 and 5 points.

Shaw added 25 points, and veteran Shin Yeong-seok chipped in 11, including four blocks. For Samsung Fire, Felipe led both teams with 35 points, but it wasn't enough.

How did the comeback work?

KEPCO started badly, committing eight service errors in the first set and dropping it. Then the team found its rhythm.

In the second set, it scored four straight points from 17-17 and levelled the match. In the third, it trailed 14-16 before Usman's spikes and a block sparked a 3-0 run. Shin's quick attack sealed it at 25-23.

The fourth set went to ten deuces. At 33-33, Shaw's quick open attack and Seo Jae-deok's open spike took the last two points.

What's next?

KEPCO beat last season's champions Korean Air in the previous round, and now sit at 2 wins and 1 loss with 6 points.

In the women's division, IBK Altos, under new head coach Manabe Masayoshi, beat SOOP 3-1 to make it three wins from three and stay top with 9 points. SOOP are still looking for their first-ever win.