"Now, let's go to the playoffs..."
Cheongju KB Stars won 66-63 against Hana Bank 2024-2025 Women's Professional Basketball Regular League Busan BNK Sum at Busan Sajik Gymnasium on the 10th.
KB showed a dramatic victory and displayed hope to advance to the playoffs. At the center of KB that won after a close game of extra time, Heo Ye-eun, a short-time giant who had 15 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists, played an all-around role.
"I'm so happy. Every game feels like I'm walking on thin ice. (Laughs) It was a very desperate game like the final, but I cleared one of the four remaining games, so I'll put off the joy and focus on the next game to win," Heo said.
KB recently lost to Hana Bank and Shinhan Bank in a series of neck-and-neck races. They also fought well until the end of the game, but ended up winning the game by extending the game with a three-point shot by Nagata Moe.
Heo said, "I was wondering if I was going to collapse again. I felt that I was growing up. Anyway, I showed it through the results of this match, and Nagata Moe saved my team, and I am so grateful. I went to get a handoff at the end, but they didn't give me the ball. (Laughs) So I was like, "What am I going to do?" But they finished it well and dragged me to the playoff, which made me think a lot," he said.
"At the end of the fourth quarter, when I had to shoot a three-point shot, my sister shook it and made a kickout pass or had to do so, but it was not easy. So even if I went out to get a handoff, my sister finished it well, so I hope I can be more confident in the shot with that shot," he added.
Heo dominated the last minute of extra time along with strong heart. After scoring a fastball breakthrough that resulted in a come-from-behind victory, Heo succeeded in making free throws he earned through fouling the opponent team without missing both pitches.
Heo Ye-eun said, "I wasn't really nervous. Strangely, I don't think about anything when it comes to such a showdown this season. Rather, when I was younger in the last season or the past year, I thought a lot of things like, 'I'm in big trouble' and 'What should I do?' But this season, I thought, 'What? There are only two minutes left?' and I wanted to win the free throw anyway, so I thought I should put it in."
In addition, he said, "When I'm not excited on the court, my tension drops and I have to find the middle quickly, but it still takes a lot of time to get back on track in that part. So I think I need to study a lot about how to keep calm."
KB, which was considered the lowest ranking candidate even before the start of the season, is fiercely competing in the playoffs. There are not many losses during the garbage time, and even if they lose, there are many close matches every day. "Players made me cry again. They really touched me," coach Kim Wan-su said after the game.
Huh said, "The coach is also working really hard. He doesn't even leave the office day and night, and he studies hard for us, so I hope he cheer up more. Don't you think we have to go to the playoffs to get more recognition for coming this far? I think it's a huge difference, and I hope the coach stops crying and goes to the playoffs to cry now."
Heo Ye-eun, who has recorded the most average time since her debut, is an irreplaceable resource in her team. Although she might be exhausted from many playing times, she showed a determined attitude.
Heo said, "It's a lie to say that I won't be tired, but time on the court is too precious to me. I told him not to worry about that at all because the coach trusts me that much, and he said if he can run for 40 minutes and win, that's all he has to do. What can I do even if it's hard?" (Laughs) "I really have three games left and 120 minutes left, so I have to overcome it," he said, expressing his strong commitment to advance to the playoffs. 바카라
Finally, Heo said, "We have to play games that can bring about victory somehow. If we fail to make it to the playoffs, three games will be the end. (Laughs) As it is ending the season, I will do my best to win no matter how many minutes I play at the risk of everything," in expressing her commitment to participate in the remaining games.