"Shanghai University! Let's go! Shanghai University! Let's go!!!"
"Polytechnic University! Let's go! Polytechnic University! Let's go!!!"
At that moment, the crowd around the basketball court roared, all eyes on the man in the number 0 jersey. Their faces flushed with excitement.
Shiro had already scored 33 points that night, but Polytechnic University was still ahead by 3 points.
The score was 103:100.
With 26 seconds left in the game, if Shiro hadn't fought so hard to break through Polytechnic's double-team defense, Polytechnic would have already taken control!
Standing at the three-point line with the ball, Shiro wore a serious expression. As he scanned his tightly guarded teammates, he thought, 'Looks like I'll have to take this shot on my own.'
His defender from Polytechnic University seemed to catch on to his intentions, tightening his stance and mentally urging himself: 'I need to stop him on this play! I can't let him score on me again!'
The defender stayed close, half a step away, his focus razor-sharp, fearful that Shiro might drive to the basket or shoot if he slipped up.
The players on the court and the crowd were tense. Everyone knew Shiro would take this shot solo, and they were sweating in anticipation.
Using his left foot as a pivot, Shiro made a simple but convincing dribble, faking a drive to the right. The experienced defender only took a small step back.
Sensing that slight retreat, Shiro crossed over to the right, shifting the defender's center of gravity.
Immediately, Shiro cut back to the left, leaving the defender struggling to regain balance.
Feeling the defender's movement, Shiro smiled slightly: 'Let's see you catch up with me now!'
Anticipating the chase, Shiro skillfully pulled the ball back between his legs, stepping back to the three-point line.
At that moment, the defender thought, This is bad! Shiro's quick moves had left him more than a step behind!
Shiro lifted the ball for a perfect jump shot, extending his form flawlessly.
The defender could only watch as the ball spun toward the hoop.
"Swish!!!"
The ball sailed cleanly through the net, making that sweet sound of a perfect shot.
The score was now tied at 103:103.
With 22 seconds left in the game!
"Shiro!!! Shiro!!!"
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, everyone on their feet, clapping and chanting Shiro's name!
The Polytechnic University coach, pale, quickly signaled for a timeout to organize a new strategy.
...
"Shiro executed that play perfectly. Now we need to focus on defense. We can't let their center dominate the paint, and we've got to apply strong pressure on the perimeter," the Shanghai University coach said sternly.
"If we defend well, we'll go for a fast break or let Shiro take the shot again. Even if we don't score, the game will go into overtime. If we fail to defend, I'll call a timeout to regroup."
"Guys, this is the final step to reaching the top! All we need to do is defend and give it everything we've got! Shanghai will be champions! Let's go, Shanghai University is going to win!!!" Shiro fired up his teammates.
The motivational speech brought the team together. Their eyes burned with the fire of victory.
The coach looked at Shiro with admiration, thinking: 'This is the leader every team needs! Strong and able to inspire his team.'
"Shanghai will win!!!" The players took to the court with determined expressions.
"Shanghai will win! Shanghai will win!" The Shanghai fans shouted, completely drowning out Polytechnic's supporters.
The Polytechnic players were tense, not only from the crowd's pressure but also from the fierce looks in the Shanghai players' eyes.
"Tweet!"
The Polytechnic point guard inbounded the ball. Facing Shanghai's smothering defense, he struggled to find a passing lane.
Just as the five-second count neared, the point guard finally spotted his forward and made the pass.
Relieved, he wiped the sweat from his forehead: 'I made the pass.'
The ball went back to Polytechnic's point guard, and the team began moving, trying to execute their planned play. But under Shanghai's intense defense, it wasn't unfolding as expected, and the clock was ticking down.
Polytechnic's forward, who had been guarding Shiro, grew anxious. When he received the ball, he tried to take Shiro one-on-one.
With a crossover, he attempted to shake Shiro, but Shiro stayed in front, unmoved. When the forward dribbled again, Shiro quickly applied pressure, disrupting his rhythm.
Under pressure, the forward attempted a quick change of direction, but Shiro, locked in on the ball, intercepted the pass with his long arms.
The crowd went wild!
Shiro, now with possession, sprinted toward the basket. The Polytechnic small forward chased after him, desperate to stop the play.
There were only 4 seconds left in the game when Shiro reached midcourt. The small forward from the opposing team charged at him without hesitation. Spotting the small forward's position, Shiro quickly pushed the ball to his right and shifted his weight, throwing the defender off balance.
As the opposing small forward adjusted his stance, Shiro executed a smooth turnaround, leaving him behind in an instant. With a fierce burst of speed, Shiro launched himself toward the basket for a three-step layup.
Just then, the opposing small forward slid in to intercept him in mid-air.
"Damn it, I have to block this shot!"
The small forward's face twisted in determination as he leaped behind Shiro, desperate to disrupt his layup.
At that moment, the force of the collision caused Shiro, airborne, to lose his balance.
'Shit!' Shiro thought, alarmed. 'This was getting dangerous.'
But for the win, for his team, he was willing to risk it all. Ignoring the impending impact, he switched the ball to his other hand and managed to avoid the block, pushing the ball into the basket just in time.
"Swish!"
The ball swished through the net with a satisfying sound.
"Nice shot!"
"Shiro! Shiro!!"
"MVP! MVP!!!"
As Shiro scored the winning basket, the crowd erupted in cheers, chanting MVP.
But then, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. Due to the small forward's aggressive collision, Shiro lost his balance in mid-air and was propelled off the court like a kite with a severed string.
To make matters worse, he crashed into the hard basketball stand at full speed, producing a loud "bang!"
Suddenly, Shiro's vision went dark, as if the world around him had been swallowed by shadows. Just moments ago, he had been basking in the glory of victory, but now that joy shattered like glass. He strained to hear the voices around him, but they faded, becoming distant and muffled.
"Shiro? Shiro? Someone call 120!"
"Where's the team doctor? Quick, hurry!"
His teammates shouted his name, panic evident in their voices. Shiro wanted to assure them he was okay, but it felt like something was blocking his throat. Gradually, he slipped into unconsciousness, as if sinking into a deep, endless pit.