Park Sang-hyun Defeats 'Ultimate Weapon' Lee Young-ho to Secure Back-to-Back Titles

On the 24th, at the special stage of '2026 PlayX4' held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Park 'Sharp' Sang-hyun defeated the returning 'Ultimate Weapon' Lee Young-ho 4-3 in the 'Google Play ASL Season 21' finals, clinching his second consecutive ASL championship. While the series lacked long, drawn-out games, it was defined by the high-level early-game psychological warfare between the two players.

스타크래프트 STARCRAFT
Champion Park Sang-hyun ©INVEN

In the seventh set, despite Match Point being a two-player map, Park used a fast drone scout to identify Lee's 'naked fast expansion' build. He immediately pulled his drone back from the natural expansion and opted for an Overpool build. He then sent additional drones to disrupt the construction of Lee's natural expansion buildings.

It was effectively a Zergling all-in. The outcome hinged on whether Lee's first Marine would be caught; however, Lee managed to get it into a bunker safely. Park then swarmed the Terran main base with Zerglings and drones to harass him, but he didn't stop there.

He quickly researched Zergling speed and produced more units, flooding Lee's main base with additional Zerglings to break his defense and secure the championship. Lee, who was attempting to become the first five-time ASL champion and making his first finals appearance in about six years since Season 10, had to settle for runner-up. Park receives a prize of ₩30 million, while Lee receives ₩10 million.

스타크래프트 STARCRAFT
©INVEN
스타크래프트 STARCRAFT

■ Google Play ASL Season 21 Finals

Park Sang-hyun (Z) 4 VS 3 Lee Young-ho (T)

Set 1: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Loss VS Win Lee Young-ho (T) - Jane Doe

Set 2: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Loss VS Win Lee Young-ho (T) - Octagon

Set 3: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Win VS Loss Lee Young-ho (T) - Sylphid

Set 4: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Win VS Loss Lee Young-ho (T) - Polestar

Set 5: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Loss VS Win Lee Young-ho (T) - Knockout

Set 6: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Win VS Loss Lee Young-ho (T) - Attitude

Set 7: Park Sang-hyun (Z) Win VS Loss Lee Young-ho (T) - Match Point

This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of NC AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. [Read Original]

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