He Xi Meng, in the extreme state, also went all out. With a gentle push off his left hand, and using his powerful waist and abdomen strength, he not only regained his balance but also accelerated, charging straight into the opponent's half!
This was an excellent counter-attack opportunity, and He Xi Meng didn't want to waste it!
On both sides, Hu Weidong and Liu Yudong were also rapidly closing in, and behind them, Da Zhi and Yao Ming were accelerating with their heads down… All the Chinese players knew this was their best chance to tie or win the game. Everyone was doing their utmost to cooperate with He Xi Meng to deliver the final blow to the Yugoslavian team…
However, no one knew whether He Xi Meng would go for two points or three, whether he would shoot himself or pass to a teammate… But no matter He Xi Meng's choice, they were mentally prepared. Victory or defeat rested on this one shot!
As the Chinese team was making their desperate charge, the Yugoslavian team was also desperately defending! If they could successfully defend this shot by the Chinese team, the game would be over…
At this moment of life and death, He Xi Meng, who had just crossed half-court, did not hesitate! He knew that the more critical the moment, the more decisive one needed to be.
While the current Chinese team indeed had many players with big hearts, this was no excuse for him to shirk responsibility.
This shot could, and could only, be taken by him! Whether it succeeded or failed, all responsibility would be his!
He Xi Meng had already made two three-pointers in the past minute, and his shooting touch was currently in an "invincible" state…
As a superstar for the Yugoslavian team, Bodiroga immediately predicted He Xi Meng's choice. He moved in from the side and rear, intending to interfere with He Xi Meng's shot as soon as possible… As long as He Xi Meng wasn't attempting a three-pointer, Bodiroga wouldn't even mind fouling to stop He Xi Meng's final shot… Because Bodiroga had an ominous premonition that if He Xi Meng was allowed to shoot, he would very likely make it. Sending He Xi Meng to the free-throw line would at worst result in two successful free throws, tying the game and sending it into overtime…
But what filled Bodiroga with dread was that He Xi Meng indeed chose the outcome that gave him the most trouble: he eschewed two points for a three-pointer to decide the game! And it was an extended three-pointer, one step beyond the three-point line!
He Xi Meng chose the extended three-pointer precisely because he didn't want anyone getting too close!
He Xi Meng also worried that for the final shot, the referee might not call a foul. If Bodiroga fouled aggressively and the referee didn't blow the whistle, they would have lost too unjustly…
Therefore, in a flash, for safety's sake, He Xi Meng stopped abruptly and pulled up for a three-pointer while Bodiroga was still a step away, executing it in one fluid motion!
Bodiroga couldn't block it and was forced to retract his hands in mid-air, twisting his body to avoid a reckless collision.
Seeing Bodiroga fly past him with an almost desperate look in his eyes, He Xi Meng knew the hope for this shot had greatly increased…
As expected, He Xi Meng continued his invincible shooting touch and accurately hit the three-pointer again!
This was He Xi Meng's third three-pointer in less than a minute, and with the subsequent free throw, he had scored 10 points!
10 points in 1 minute! He Xi Meng not only erased the 6-point deficit for the Chinese team but also took the lead by 1 point!
91:90!
However, the game was not over yet. For the final shot, He Xi Meng deliberately took it a few seconds early, not waiting until the last moment, in case the shot missed, Hu Weidong and Liu Yudong would still have a chance to grab the offensive rebound and make a final put-back shot…
He Xi Meng had considered everything thoroughly, but he seemed to have underestimated his own invincible shooting touch.
Now, the remaining 1.4 seconds were left for the Yugoslavian team.
When He Xi Meng made the go-ahead three-pointer and his teammates rushed towards him to celebrate, He Xi Meng was very clear-headed. He immediately urged his teammates to get back on defense, as the game was not over yet!
It wasn't until the whistle for a timeout by the Yugoslavian team sounded that He Xi Meng finally let out a sigh of relief, and under the embrace of his teammates, he returned to the Chinese team's bench.
On the bench, head coach Zhang Bing's face was flushed with excitement! He had never imagined that one day, the championship trophy of the World Championships would be so close to him…
So close, only 1.4 seconds away… He had even forgotten how to defend in the final possession.
He Xi Meng reluctantly took over the coaching duties and issued substitution orders.
Da Zhi and Liu Yudong, who were heavily fatigued, and Hu Weidong, who had an ankle injury, were substituted out by He Xi Meng. Sun Jun, Zheng Wu, and Li Nan came on to replace them.
Yao Ming guarded the paint. Although Yao Ming was also exhausted, the Chinese team still needed a height advantage inside to prevent the Yugoslavian team from executing a professional lob pass to the weak-side rebound…
Sun Jun, Zheng Wu, and Li Nan were each assigned to guard one player, switching on screens…
Bodiroga was personally defended by He Xi Meng. Commander versus commander, king versus king. In the final moments, let the ace players of both teams decide the victory!
Although He Xi Meng had meticulously set up the defensive line and reminded his teammates of various possible shooting methods, such as a lob pass to the far corner or a cut and drive to the middle… The most likely tactic for the Yugoslavian team was to get the ball to Bodiroga at all costs…
After all, 1.4 seconds was too short a time to execute a complete play.
The Yugoslavian team's final choice indeed revolved around Bodiroga. Bodiroga received the ball outside the three-point line, two steps beyond the 60-degree three-point arc on the left, after two consecutive off-ball screens from his teammates… As soon as he received the ball, Bodiroga turned and drove towards the three-point line!
Zheng Wu, who switched to defend him, played tough defense, using his body to hold Bodiroga and prevent him from easily driving into the three-point line!
He Xi Meng also rushed over from the top of the arc immediately to double-team Bodiroga with Zheng Wu.
With He Xi Meng in front and Zheng Wu behind, Bodiroga, under the double-team of two Chinese players, jumped forcefully, fading and shooting forward!
Why the forward fade? Because Bodiroga was still trying to draw a foul!
He Xi Meng naturally did not let Bodiroga succeed! At this moment, there was no need to rush too aggressively to attempt a block; interference was the key…
Bodiroga failed to draw a foul, and the basketball, shot with a fading motion, was not in its best state. As the ball was still in the air, the buzzer signaling the end of the game sounded.
"Clang!"
The ball hit the rim and bounced out. The game was over!
"China is the champion!"
"China won!"
"Unbelievable! Dear viewers, the Chinese team has truly defeated the formidable Yugoslavian team to win the championship of the 13th Greek World Championship…"
"We are the champions! I truly never imagined that in my lifetime, I would be able to witness the Chinese men's basketball team ascend to the pinnacle of world basketball…"