Choi Sung-mo cites defense as the driving force behind KT’s six-game winning streak.
Suwon KT lost 93-95 against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in the 2023-2024 KBL D League on Friday at Icheon LG Champions Park.
The D-League, which currently has eight teams, excluding Jung Kwanjang, Samsung, and Sono, 현금홀덤사이트 will host the playoffs after the top four teams finish on March 5.
KT, which had accumulated wins earlier in the day, is still tied for third place with DB despite losing to Hyundai Mobis. If they had swept Hyundai Mobis, they would have secured their spot in the playoffs and could have headed into the final game with a comfortable lead.
Coincidentally, the two teams had met in Suwon on the 14th, a day earlier in the regular season. Hyundai Mobis lost that game as they were unable to control Paris Bass and Moon Jung-hyun, despite Shin Min-seok and Lee Woo-seok’s efforts.
Afterward, both teams went into the international break.
Less than 24 hours later, KT and Hyundai Mobis met again in Icheon in the D-League. It was Hyundai Mobis who came out on top, despite fielding a number of players who had accumulated a lot of experience in the regular season.
Choi, who played the role of field commander and led KT’s charge, finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists in 29 minutes and 42 seconds of action.
After the game, Choi said, “Today’s game was very disappointing. I couldn’t play with my D-League teammates, but everyone prepared hard. We told each other to win today so we can relax for the next game, but we lost. I don’t know how the final match will turn out, but I will do my best like today,” said Choi, summarizing the match.
Recently, Choi Sung-mo has been playing a lot of minutes in the regular season due to Heo Hoon’s injury. However, she has been exposed to ups and downs in her performance as well as playing time.
Choi Sung-mo said, “I was unexpectedly inserted due to the sudden injury. I would like to play confidently, but the team has a very strong offense. My main task is to stabilize the physical strength of the main players. I’m not greedy in the offense,” he said.
After playing briefly in the regular season game on Thursday, Choi Sung-mo played nearly 30 minutes in the D-League on Friday. Playing in both the D-League and the regular league, and traveling all over the country, can take a toll on your body.
“Actually, I don’t have any physical burden,” Choi answered succinctly.
KT, which is in sole possession of second place in the regular season with 28 wins and 13 losses, is in a position to chase down the No. 1 DB while also fending off the chase from the third and fourth-ranked teams. Against this backdrop, KT has rattled off six straight wins thanks to the combined efforts of Bass, Ha Yoon-ki, and younger players.
“The main players are playing a lot of minutes, but they are not struggling at all because they are young (laughs). Rather, it’s the players who have played a little more. At the moment, KT seems to be doing well in all areas.”
Finally, Choi Sung-mo said, “After the break, the injured players will return. Then I will work as hard as I am now in my environment, and when the time comes for me to be greedy, I will try what I have prepared. Until then, we have to defend hard. Because defense is what makes us good in the regular season right now. I’ll have to think about that,” he said.