This was Shohoku's first offensive possession of the game. Everyone was brimming with focus and determination. Ryonan was no less serious—Uozumi quickly retreated to guard the basket, Sento fell back toward midcourt to cover, and the other players rapidly spread out. Layer after layer of defense took shape across their half of the court in the blink of an eye, like a woven net.
In just a second or two, a clear offensive-defensive standoff had formed at both ends of the court, and the tension in the air intensified.
Miyagi Ryota crouched low, dribbling the basketball between his hands. The sound of the ball striking the floor was especially crisp, while his gaze swept across the court like a radar, lingering particularly on Chi Tong's position.
During their last encounter, he had struggled even to dribble in front of Chi Tong, almost completely unable to fight back.
Though his condition had improved now, he still had no confidence that he could handle Chi Tong. He decided not to take that risk.
Miyagi Ryota quietly adjusted his direction, deliberately moving toward the side farther away from Chi Tong.
Stay farther away and see how you're going to interfere with me or steal my ball!
Chi Tong noticed Miyagi Ryota's small movement immediately. Seeing the distance Miyagi had deliberately created, he instantly understood what his opponent was thinking: Miyagi wanted to avoid his defense.
Yet he did not immediately move in. Instead, he remained where he was and subtly adjusted his center of gravity.
He knew that as soon as he approached Miyagi Ryota, Miyagi would immediately pass the ball.
Rather than making a pointless run, it was better to stay calm and wait for the other side to make the first move.
When Miyagi Ryota saw that Chi Tong had not