This time, Ryonan had clearly learned from its earlier mistake. Yueye Hongming rushed over immediately, joining Yu Zhu and Fukuda Kicchou in a three-man encirclement. They watched Kawata Masashi closely, determined to stop him from scoring again.
But while their three-man defense looked intimidating, its actual effectiveness fell far short.
Unlike Sannoh's three-man defense against Chi Tong, Fukuda Kicchou and Yueye Hongming were a full tier below Kawata Masashi in height.
On the basketball court, a height difference often tipped the balance of power on both offense and defense.
What was more, aside from Yu Zhu, whose height barely allowed him to compete, Fukuda and Koshino lagged far behind Masashi Kawata in explosiveness, physical strength, and experience defending the paint.
Masashi Kawata felt the defensive pressure behind him and on either side, but his expression never changed. He merely lowered his hips slightly and gave a light sideways bump, unleashing a tremendous burst of strength.
With a dull thud, Fukuda Kicchou and Yueye Hongming felt an overwhelming force slam into them. Unable to resist, they staggered backward uncontrollably, stumbling out of their defensive positions.
Masashi Kawata effortlessly broke the three-man encirclement in an instant, leaving only Yu Zhu beneath the basket.
He struggled to hold his ground.
Seeing his teammates knocked aside in an instant, Yu Zhu's heart sank and the pressure mounted. He knew all too well that his chances against Kawata alone were slim.
Not only did Masashi Kawata have a complete arsenal of post moves, but his game experience also far surpassed Yu Zhu's. His control of offensive rhythm and use of fakes were both first-rate.
Sure enough, Masashi Kawata did not rush to force his way through. Holding the ball in both hands, he swayed slightly, making as if to power up for a layup while