Wu Hua took a deep breath, snapping out of his shock. His legs felt rooted to the three-point line as he stared at Yang Feilong. He lowered his stance, spread his arms, and fixed Yang Feilong with a cold gaze. He admitted Yang Feilong's defense had been impressive, but his own previous steal was just as good, and with three balls already played, he was still in the lead.
If he could just stop Yang Feilong this time, he would remain in the lead!
And no matter how spectacular that last play was, it would be history.
Yang Feilong dribbled the ball, the rhythmic thuds echoing. Technically, he could have held the ball until the whistle blew before dribbling, but he didn't. He was "fishing," luring his opponent in.
"Beep!" At that moment, Mi Kang blew the whistle.
The fourth round began!
The instant the whistle sounded, Wu Hua moved again, attempting to repeat his previous steal. But Yang Feilong's right-hand dribble was like the wind. With a sudden flick, the ball sailed over Wu Hua's head.
Wu Hua's expression changed drastically. If he turned to chase the ball now, he might not be as fast as Yang Feilong running directly for it. So, he chose to block Yang Feilong. This way, the ball would go out of bounds, and Yang Feilong would lose this round due to a mistake.
But with a 'carp jump,' Yang Feilong was free of Wu Hua, leaving him behind.
"So fast!" Wu Hua's face fell. It was too late to chase the ball now!
Yang Feilong caught the ball and took a jump shot, ending the round.
"Damn it!" Wu Hua clenched his fist and swung it in frustration. He felt he had been careless on defense this time.
"Beep!" Mi Kang blew the whistle, signaling the end of the round.
Mi Kang's voice followed: "Four balls played. The score is now 2:2 between Yang Feilong and Wu Hua!"
If it had just been good defense, people wouldn't have thought Yang Feilong had a chance. But in this offense, Yang Feilong's performance was dazzling.
"Amazing!"
"Truly amazing. Wu Hua's defense was already good, but who would have thought Yang Feilong would throw the ball up so high, then do a carp jump to get past Wu Hua, catch the ball, and pull up for the shot?"
"Cool! Brother Feilong is forever the god in my heart!" Xiao Jingwen was ecstatic, almost unable to contain herself. Yang Feilong's performance in the first two balls had made her lose confidence, but the situation had reversed so quickly. Now, all she felt was excitement.
"I told you not to underestimate him. Anyone who underestimates him will have their face slapped!" Mia said excitedly.
"Did you say that?" Xiao Jingwen looked at her cousin and best friend suspiciously.
"I just said it in my heart!" Mia's expression stiffened slightly, but she quickly corrected herself seriously.
"......"
Han Yun looked on in disbelief. In fact, her expression during these three rounds had not gone unnoticed by some. They were puzzled: Wasn't she Yang Feilong's girlfriend? Why was she surprised by his shooting, shocked by his archery, and now dumbfounded by his basketball skills?
Could she be a fake girlfriend?
Mia and Xiao Jingwen were the first to notice this. It was also why they hadn't approached them earlier.
"Maybe Brother Feilong is just helping her get rid of that guy Wu Hua! Otherwise, she wouldn't act like she knows nothing about Brother Feilong!" Mia and Xiao Jingwen had secretly discussed this topic earlier.
"Get ready for the fifth ball, it's about to start!" Mi Kang suppressed his shock. As the referee, he had to remain neutral. After a moment's thought, he spoke calmly.
Hoo hoo~~~
Wu Hua's eyes were like lightning as he stared at Yang Feilong, saying coldly, "It's just tied now! Don't think you have a chance to win!"
"Enough talk, let's settle this with action!" Yang Feilong took his stance, hands floating, maintaining a suitable distance, ready.
"Beep!" At the same time, the whistle sounded.
Buzz!
Wu Hua moved. He took a step forward, then a quick pull-back dribble at incredible speed. But Yang Feilong's footwork was steady, keeping pace without getting too close to prevent a crossover, nor too far to allow a direct jump shot.
Wu Hua's expression was serious. He dribbled rapidly, pondering how to score this point.
Just then, Yang Feilong moved. Wu Hua's face tightened, and he quickly moved to protect the ball, but it was too late. Yang Feilong, with his excellent height and reach, made his move like lightning, seizing a sliver of opportunity.
Thwack!
Yang Feilong swatted the ball away.
Wu Hua tried to grab the ball, but Yang Feilong was too fast. With a lunge like a tiger, he snatched the ball into his arms, then rolled and rose with fluid grace.
Beep!
The whistle sounded.
"Wow, beautiful steal, beautiful lunge to get the ball! Brother Feilong, you're the best!"
"Impressive! A brilliant steal and lunge!"
"To see such a thrilling defensive play in this setting! Admirable, a truly astonishing performance!"
"Wu Hua's mentality is starting to crumble!"
"Who wouldn't have their mentality crumble? If Yang Feilong was careless the first time he was stolen from, Wu Hua was prepared this time, yet he still got stripped. This just proves one thing: Yang Feilong's reaction, speed, and timing are terrifyingly precise!"
"Now, although the score is still tied, the scales of victory are tipping towards Yang Feilong! If Wu Hua can stop Yang Feilong in the next round, he'll have no chance of a comeback! I'm sure of it!"
Han Yun's face flushed with excitement as she murmured in disbelief, "Feilong, his basketball skills are this exquisite?"
She actually enjoyed watching boys play basketball. Otherwise, she wouldn't have known so much about Wu Hua's situation. It was precisely because of this that she hadn't had much hope for Yang Feilong. The first two balls had gone exactly as she expected. But who knew the situation would reverse in an instant? Yang Feilong's skill in the next three balls had truly stunned her!
"Damn it!" Wu Hua gritted his teeth. He had been defended again!
Just as others had said, his mentality was close to collapsing. Of course, he hadn't lost his composure yet, because as long as he could stop Yang Feilong's next offensive play, it would still be a tie.
"Sixth ball, get ready!" Mi Kang gave Yang Feilong a deep look, then glanced at Wu Hua, shaking his head inwardly. Honestly, this turn of events had completely exceeded his expectations.
Yang Feilong stood outside the three-point line, dribbling the ball, looking at Wu Hua's almost contorted face with a faint smile, thinking: Is his mentality collapsing already?
Was he giving too much of a handicap? Should he have let the opponent have four balls?
But forget it. What if something unexpected happened? After all, he wasn't strong enough yet!
"Beep!"
The whistle sounded.
Wu Hua suddenly stepped forward, closing in on Yang Feilong, but Yang Feilong executed a behind-the-back dribble, moving the ball to his left hand. Wu Hua closed in again. Yang Feilong then used Wu Hua's body to lean on him. Wu Hua engaged, increasing his strength to put maximum pressure on Yang Feilong. But at that moment, Yang Feilong spun around, leaving Wu Hua behind him. Wu Hua's face changed. He extended his hands and exerted force with his legs. If Yang Feilong shot, he was ready to block it with a mighty slam.
He believed in his jumping ability and his prediction skills!
But Yang Feilong didn't shoot. Instead, he drove towards the basket.
Seeing this, Wu Hua's expression changed dramatically. He quickly channeled the power within him and chased after Yang Feilong.
Whoosh!
Yang Feilong leaped into the air, his body stretching like a soaring roc. He swung his arm in a wide arc, aiming to slam the basketball into the basket. At the same time, Wu Hua leaped up closely behind him, his face contorted with determination to block Yang Feilong's shot.
However, Wu Hua was slightly slower. With a boom, the ball was successfully and forcefully slammed into the basket by Yang Feilong.
He had ultimately failed to block Yang Feilong's shot.
Six balls had been played, and the score was now 4:2, with Yang Feilong taking the lead.
Boom!
Instantly, the entire basketball court's stands erupted in cheers.