Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Coach Xu Wei gathered the team during their break before the final quarter. He stared at the team, who was anticipating his words, then let out a soft sigh.

He was planning to re-emphasize their strategy. However, he knew that it was too late now. The two teams had great strategies. At the end of the day, it will all boil down to skill and, of course, a little bit of luck.

With that, he gave them a tight-lipped smile.

"Just shoot the ball and win," he straightforwardly said.

The players exchanged confused looks, but there was no time for clarification. They understood what he meant. No grand strategy would matter now.

On the sidelines, the principal fanned himself furiously. Miss Cherry tried to calm him, but she was as nervous as anyone else.

Sir Dao, who was near him, was repenting for his sins. "If the kid wins, I'll tell everyone the truth," he muttered to whoever deity was listening.

Aiden, on the other hand, laughed like a madman as he coerced Grandma Bingbing to open her eyes. "You have to watch, Grandma. This is their last chance. When else can you watch this?"

The old woman grumbled but opened her eyes. "Are they winning now?"

"Close," Aiden said. "Very close."

Meanwhile, Lina clenched her fists as she muttered bargaining statements under her breath.

"I want them to win. Let them win, please. I'm willing to bet on anything."

Just then, a small voice echoed in her mind—"Even your relationship?"

She froze, then she gazed at the court, where Kai was doing his best.

"I still haven't told him," she whispered.

Her dad glanced at her with a knowing look on his eyes. He gave her a silent pat on the back.

On the court, Team China played to the best of their capacity.

Kai, Marcus, Dong, Caleb, and Jaw-Long stood united for the final ten minutes which would decide everything.

For the U.S. team, Steven and Romeo were still in. On the bench, Julian argued furiously to be put in, but Coach Corey shook his head firmly.

Team China immediately pushed forward, with Kai directing the pace. He passed to Marcus, who ran with the most speed he ever had since the tournament started.

Marcus hesitated at the three-point line, faking a shot before driving into the paint.

To prove myself again. I'll continue to play without regrets.

The U.S. defenders closed in, but Marcus spun away from them and floated the ball gently off the glass. It sank in, cutting the lead to three points.

47 - 50.

The U.S. team retaliated quickly. Steven took the ball. Kai was on him, matching his every step, but Steven's experience shone through. He passed to Romeo, who hit a quick jumper to extend the lead.

47 - 52.

Dong took the inbound pass.

To the little baby in my wife's stomach. I'll protect you.

He passed to Caleb, who had a fire burning in his eyes.

To my brother, I'm sorry.

Caleb drove into the paint, muscling past defenders, and banked in a layup. The gap narrowed again.

49 - 52.

Steven pushed the ball back up the court, his body protesting with every step. Kai noticed a slight limp in his stride, but it didn't seem to affect his play. Steven pulled up at the three-point line and fired a shot.

The crowd erupted as the ball swished through the net.

49 - 55.

Kai took a deep breath, his mind racing. He looked at his teammates, seeing the determination on their faces. Marcus, trying to prove himself. Dong playing for his family. Caleb seeking redemption. Jaw-Long, living his childhood dream.

And then he looked at Steven, who had just sunk another shot. He thought about what he had said during the end of the third quarter.

His last chance.

Kai took control of the offense, driving into the lane and rising for a dunk that shook the rim. The crowd roared as the score closed to 51- 55.

Sinclair hit a mid-range jumper, with Steven as the main accessory.

51-57.

The final minutes were a blur of action.

It seemed like the crowd began to cheer for both teams instead of the one they were rooting for to win.

Marcus intercepted a pass, sprinting down the court for a fast break layup.

Dong grabbed a rebound and fought off defenders to secure a second-chance point.

Caleb sank a three-pointer, his fist pumping in triumph.

Jaw-Long executed a spin move to score in the paint, his childhood dream coming alive on the court.

But for every move Team China made, the U.S. team answered.

63 - 67.

Steven continued to lead, his shots finding the mark. Romeo supported him wholeheartedly, while the rest of the team showed why they were key players of the FBA in their own way.

The score was 65-68 with just thirty seconds remaining.

Kai had the ball, his heart pounding. He glanced at Steven, who stood ready to defend him.

"This is it," Kai thought.

He faked a drive, causing Steven to shift his weight, and then pulled up for a three-pointer. The crowd held its breath as the ball arced through the air.

Kai, too, felt his breath get caught in the back of his throat.

It was a shot that would determine everything.

A loss?

A time-out?

A chance to win?

It hit the rim, bounced twice, and then rolled off.

Steven grabbed the rebound and held the ball as the final buzzer sounded.

As Steven jumped, not too high this time, and limped all the way to his teammates…Kai realized something.

Steven was right. This was Kai's first chance to make history, but for Steven, this was his last.

The U.S. team had won, but the arena erupted in applause for both sides.

Kai sank to his knees, exhausted but proud. Steven approached him, extending a hand.

"You've got a bright future," Steven said.

Kai looked up, his chest heaving, and took Steven's hand.

"Thank you," he replied.

Plenty of times, Kai's team would be told that "it was too early."

And it turned out, for all of those times, they were wrong.

However, Kia believed in it at that second.

It was too early.