Basketball doesn't lie, the Chinese men's basketball team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat!

If you missed the game between the Chinese and Japanese men's basketball teams tonight, I suggest watching the second half comeback by the Chinese team directly, as their first half play was as stifling as the two previous losses to South Korea.

To be honest, this Japanese men's basketball team's overall strength is inferior to South Korea's. After the coaching change, they replaced the key core center Hawkins, dismantling half of their original system. In the first half today, both we and Japan were 2 for 11 from three-point range. This Japanese team's outside shooting is far less formidable than anticipated.

However, our first-half defense seemed overly jumpy. We committed excessive defensive resources to the perimeter, even pulling out big men like Yu Jiahao, which created vacuums in the mid-range and paint areas. The Japanese team scored heavily there in the first half, especially through Yuta Watanabe.

Our team's old issues persisted: guards lacking self-creation ability, missing the first six three-point attempts. The constant misses led to hesitation, resulting in very few made field goals in the first half. The overall offense looked disjointed, with failed set plays and lots of ineffective ball movement, lacking a clear focal point. The men's team ended the half trailing by 14 points.

But after halftime, the Chinese team came out as a completely different unit, opening the third quarter with a 13-0 run against Japan. Every comeback starts with defense. By increasing pressure on the ball handlers, China forced more Japanese turnovers. In just five minutes, Japan committed 5 turnovers and failed to score, exposing their true colors.

We denied them easy mid-range jumpers, anchored the center in the paint to cut off backdoor cuts, and tested their pull-up shooting ability. Japan went scoreless for several minutes and began to panic. Meanwhile, we steadily built confidence during the comeback.

He Xining proved why he's one of the best local shooters in the CBA this season. He broke the team's first-half three-point drought and then hit two more threes plus a fast-break layup in the second half, igniting momentum. Following him, Zhao Jiwei hit two crucial corner threes in succession.

Gao Shiyan, who didn't play a minute in the first half, made his first shot—a three-pointer—to tie the game upon entering in the second half, erasing the 14-point deficit. "High-Speed Rail" wasn't off track; the team's momentum soared and became unstoppable.

The final quarter belonged to the steadying pillars, Zhao Jiwei and Hu Jinqiu. After Zhao Rui fouled out, Zhao Jiwei, with four fouls himself, hit a three-pointer and controlled the tempo. Hu Jinqiu finally got to play his favorite game—rolling to the rim and attacking Japan's slow-footed centers.

Hu Jinqiu finished the game 10 for 9, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. If the third-quarter comeback relied on a miraculous three-point barrage, maintaining the lead in the fourth was due to Big Qiu's dominance inside. The Chinese men's basketball team's interior has always been our cornerstone.

Zhao Jiwei shot 3 for 6 from three today, each one critically important, and sealed the game with a late and-one, totaling 14 points. Meanwhile, guard Liao Sanning's one-on-one penetration was vital throughout; he and Zhao Rui were among the few who could consistently break down the defense. Liao finished with 16 points and 5 assists. If Big Qiu is the foundation, Liao Sanning is the dagger—both indispensable.

When the game seemed decided, the referees kept trying to influence it, becoming utterly lawless in the final moments, attempting to single-handedly defy the inevitable. A Japanese player kneed Zhao Jiwei, only called a common foul, which naturally angered Guo Shiqiang, leading to a technical foul on him.

The Japanese player missed the technical free throw, and Guo Shiqiang raised both fists in triumph—basketball doesn't lie! Later, a routine ball-protection move by Big Qiu was bizarrely called a flagrant foul. Japan kept going to the line, but ultimately, evil cannot prevail over justice. The victory that was rightfully ours remained ours.

After the game, all the players huddled for encouragement, many with reddened eyes. As they left the court, veteran captain Zhao Jiwei was the last to depart, his expression calm and composed. This might be the best game of his national team career. The long-standing doubts were shattered tonight.

For today's comeback, thanks to everyone for never giving up, for rebuilding confidence in adversity, for finding life in a desperate situation. Everyone was outstanding. United as we were today, we fear no opponent.