Head coach Reyes continued:
"Of course, we all know how strong China Team is. China Team is the Great Demon King, and it'll be hard for us to topple them."
"But what I want to tell you is this: if we make up our minds and give it everything we've got, maybe we can still beat this Great Demon King. If we're too afraid of their strength to even fight, then we're as good as dead."
"Also, I want you to know that out of the four teams in Group A, Saudi Arabia has a direct ticket to the Round of 16. That means only one of the other three teams can advance."
"And among those three teams, we're the strongest besides China Team. If we can beat China Team, then we can be almost certain of advancing."
"So give it everything you've got, damn it!"
"Fight like your lives depend on it!"
The players had been pushed to this point by their coach. They really had no other choice.
They all raised their fists and shouted, "Fight like our lives depend on it!"
"Fight like our lives depend on it!"
"Fight like our lives depend on it!"
Meanwhile, in the China Team locker room.
Yao Ming was with the team.
Knowing Wang Yi's personality, he asked him:
"How are you going to respond to Reyes?"
Wang Yi was tying his shoelaces. As he did, he replied:
"Brother Yao, didn't I already say? I'll respond with basketball."
Seeing that he couldn't get a straight answer out of Wang Yi either, Yao Ming didn't press him. He only said:
"No matter how you plan to play, just don't push yourself too hard."
Wang Yi nodded. He understood what Yao Ming meant.
Every year, he had to play 82 Regular Season games