“We want to be more aggressive every game and put pressure on our opponents”

Ulsan Hyundai Mobis won 98-81 against Anyang Jungkwanjang in the fifth round of the 2023-2024 Jungkwanjang Professional Basketball League on Monday at Dongcheon Gymnasium in Ulsan, South Korea. The Hyundai Mobis jumped to fifth place and improved to 24-19 on the season. They have two games in hand on third-place Changwon LG and 바카라사이트 Seoul SK.

Kebe Aluma (206 cm, F) exploded for 26 points, 15 rebounds and one blocked shot in 23 minutes and 16 seconds. He also had nine offensive rebounds.

Aluma said after the game, “We didn’t start the game well. I tried to be aggressive. We looked for the ball aggressively, and we came alive as a team. We emphasized defense first. We didn’t lose the rebounding battle, which is why we were able to win,” said Aluma.

“I adapted to the KBL perfectly. Playing in the KBL, I changed my mindset. That’s the biggest change. In Japan, I played for a long time. In Korea, you have to share. I thought a lot about how to prepare for the game. You have to keep being aggressive. We have to work hard on defense. We have to keep influencing the game,” he added.

The Hyundai Mobis players helped Aluma in this game. Ham Ji-hoon (198 cm, F), Choi Jin-soo (202 cm, F), and Park Mubin (184 cm, G) collaborated on alley-oop plays at least once.

“(Park) Mubin was like Magic Johnson. Jamil Wilson was in front of him, and I didn’t think he could pass behind him. He made a tough pass. I had to make a dunk to save it,” he said, adding, “I’m glad they saw my offense. The ball is coming to me a lot. I’m happy. I communicate with my teammates on the court. I ask them to see my opportunities. Communicating a lot is the key to playing well together,” he explained.

“Mubin should win Rookie of the Year. There’s no doubt about it. He came back from injury and did well right away. He’s a player who does everything in the offense and defense,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Mobis foreign players (Kebe Aluma, Gage Prim, Miguel Andre Ojohn) and coach Vernon Macklin are having a half-line shooting bet. What are the odds?

“The half-line shooting bet helps build rapport. It’s fun. It creates a sense of competition. Coach (Vernon) Macklin wins the most. I’m probably second. (Gage) Prim has gotten pretty good, but he’s last. (Miguel Andrés) Oxon is third,” he smiles.

“I don’t know why I play better when I meet him (laughs). I try to be more aggressive in every match and put pressure on my opponent. I don’t prepare anything in particular. I try not to avoid fighting. I try to fight as much as I can,” he concluded the press conference.