In the final 45 seconds, Sannoh collapsed completely. Ryota Kudo intercepted another pass from Fukatsu and assisted the trailing Ryota Miyagi for a fast-break layup!
92-86!
With 20 seconds left, Kudo got his fingertips on Sawakita's desperate three-pointer, and it clanged off the rim again!
Hanamichi Sakuragi grabbed the rebound! He passed to Ryota Kudo! Sannoh's players had already given up defending.
Kudo dribbled into the frontcourt and, just before the final whistle, casually tossed the ball toward the basket from near the center circle, as leisurely as if he were taking a stroll!
Swish-!!! A long-range three! Nothing but net! 95-86!!!
Beeeep-!!! The game was over! The buzzer blared!
95-86! In the final five minutes, Shohoku had unleashed an earth-shattering 26-0 run!
Ryota Kudo alone accounted for all 26 points, along with three steals, two blocks-on Sawakita and Kawata-one offensive foul drawn, and countless crucial rebounds and assists!
The entire arena fell into absolute, deathly silence for several seconds! Everyone was utterly petrified by a performance beyond comprehension!
Then came wild cheers and screams loud enough to lift the roof, nearly tearing their vocal cords apart!
The red sea of Shohoku boiled over, burned, and exploded!
Ryota Kudo stood at center court as the golden light of Zone slowly faded from his eyes.
Boundless exhaustion and excruciating pain swallowed him in an instant like a tsunami. His knees buckled, and he dropped straight to the floor.
Bracing both hands against the scorching floor, he gasped for breath. Sweat poured down like a waterfall, and his body shook violently beyond his control.
Yet his face held a calm that came from surpassing his limits, almost utterly spent, yet incomparably satisfied.
Eiji Sawakita stood nearby, his jersey soaked through with sweat. He stared blankly at Kudo kneeling on the floor, his