Hand over the regret of one point to the future.

In the 89-90 Asian Cup final, the Chinese men's basketball team narrowly lost to Australia by one point. I believe many people stayed up late to watch this game and found it hard to sleep afterward.

It's hard to put into words what kind of game this was; of course, there will be regret over losing by just one point, whether you're a player or a fan. But more than regret, I feel pride and relief—pride in this national team, pride in the 12 players on the court, and relief for the outcome after giving their all.

This was a night that belonged to Hu Mingxuan, who delivered the best and most significant performance of his national team and professional career. His presence was felt throughout the game, shooting 7 out of 10 from the field, 5 out of 7 from three-point range, and making all 7 free throws for a total of 26 points.

From the start of the first quarter, we went toe-to-toe with Australia. Hu Jinqiu's mobility played a crucial role as we aggressively attacked the basket. Australia's response on offense was swift; we had discussed countless times before the match how strong Australia is—a team that has never lost since joining the Asian Cup in 2017, averaging a 30-point victory margin before the final.

The men's basketball team and Australia were locked in a fierce battle during the first quarter. Honestly, this intensity kept me wide awake. During a tight score, Hu Mingxuan scored 7 consecutive points, widening the gap and instilling crucial confidence in the team. Australia? We fear no opponent!

So, the widening score in the second quarter was not too surprising; the energized men's team continued to take the initiative on the court. Wang Junjie hit two mid-range shots, and Hu Jinqiu provided stable scoring inside, stretching the lead to a maximum of 15 points. However, this margin was not secure.

The anticipated offensive blackout for the men's team came in the latter half of the second quarter, as Australia launched a 12-0 run to close the gap to just one point. At a critical moment, Hu Mingxuan hit two three-pointers, allowing the men’s team to finish the half with a four-point lead.

The second half remained tight, with the relentless spirit of the men's team evident in the final. Players like Raymond and Cheng Shuai Peng were able to hit three-pointers, especially Cheng Shuai Peng, who quickly shook off the shadows of the semifinals to score 12 points last night, overcoming his mental block.

In the decisive moments of the fourth quarter, it was still Hu Mingxuan—he hit a step-back three-pointer; then, after a screen, he scored with a mid-range shot. He had clearly become the most reliable scorer for the men's team. With 2 minutes and 13 seconds left, Hu Mingxuan received a solid screen from Hu Jinqiu and hit another three-pointer from the top of the arc, putting the score at 87-86, giving the men’s team a one-point lead!

That shot truly gave me hope for the men's team's victory over Australia. But in the following two minutes, the ball didn’t reach Hu Mingxuan's hands; Raymond and Liao Sanning wasted some opportunities, and our defense faltered, allowing a basket underneath.

I understand Raymond's character; when he missed his first three-pointer, he held his head in his hands, surely scolding himself countless times. In the last 7 seconds, he shot an airball three-pointer, which must have crushed his spirit. His stamina had reached its limit, but with Zhu Junlong fouling out, he had to step up in the final moments.

With 3.9 seconds left and down by 2 points, the opponents were at the free-throw line, putting the men's team in a near-impossible situation. However, Zhao Rui's hustle forced the opponent into an unsportsmanlike foul, giving us two free throws and possession of the ball, turning the tide. Zhao Rui made both free throws, putting our fate back in our own hands.

For the final play, the strategy was one that fans of Liaoning and the Warriors would recognize, a common closing tactic used by Kerr and Guo Shiqiang. Hu Mingxuan, running off a screen, was the first option, while Zhao Rui, using a screen from Hu Jinqiu, was the second option. The ball found its way to Hu Mingxuan, the most accurate shooter on the court.

At the moment the ball reached Hu, my final regret disappeared. Before this, I always felt that regardless of the outcome, it had to be Hu Mingxuan who finished the game, and thankfully he got that chance.

The opponent was already off-balance; Hu Mingxuan slipped slightly but quickly adjusted and took the shot. To be honest, I was ready for a dramatic moment akin to Wang Shipeng's game-winner against Slovenia, but the ball ultimately hit the rim, and the men's team lost by one point.

The moment the final buzzer sounded was my favorite of the entire game. Guo Shiqiang was the first to embrace Hu Mingxuan, who had missed the game-winner, then he smiled with a hint of regret as he hugged each of his players. Hu Jinqiu looked at the scoreboard, holding his breath in disappointment, while Hu Mingxuan and every teammate exchanged high-fives, also wearing bittersweet smiles.

Is victory important? Of course, it is. After ten years, we reached the Asian Cup final again, and the championship was within reach. But more than the championship, the process is what matters most. We fought until the last moment against the world-class team Australia, and we had the opportunity to finish them off, we just didn’t make it.

In the post-game player tunnel, Raymond was still blaming himself for not making that three-pointer. Captain Zhao Rui joked, "It's okay, when we get back to the league, you guys from Beijing should fight hard again; there’s still hope for the championship." No one complained; the regret would remain in their hearts, but they ended this national team’s journey with smiles.

They are regretful but not dejected because everyone knows they have given their all for this team and for their country. They fought fiercely and unitedly; there were always those who led the charge and others who followed. They have given us so many surprises.

When the initial roster was announced, not many people had high hopes for this team, which lacked absolute talent. But they raised our expectations with each game until the very end, when we even had a chance to bring down Australia. What more could you ask for?

In this Asian Cup, the men's basketball team ranked first in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage. When the statistics and results are laid out, everyone realizes we are on the right path. It doesn’t matter if we move slowly, as long as the direction is correct.

Years from now, how will we evaluate the 2025 Chinese men's basketball team? Zhao Rui took on the responsibility of a captain, repaying Guo Shiqiang's trust in him; Hu Mingxuan grew under pressure, shining in the final; and Hu Jinqiu consistently remained the most stable anchor, quietly doing his job without seeking the spotlight.

Cheng Shuai Peng's accurate three-point shooting showcased the modernized aspect of the men's basketball team; Raymond will always remember the two missed three-pointers at the end of the final and will turn that regret into sweat on the training court; the 20-year-old Wang Junjie experienced the most unforgettable summer of his life. And of course, there’s the relentless Gao Shiyan, who silenced all his detractors.

From 2015 to 2025, this national team may not be our strongest lineup, but it is undoubtedly the most united and passionate team. Guo Shiqiang brought these players together, saying, "I selected you; you need to prove that my choice was right."

Over the past decade, our basketball has experienced many lows and self-deceptions. We faced the darkest moments on our home court, failing to reach the top eight in two consecutive Asian Cups, and suffered a disastrous World Cup in 2023, being thoroughly humiliated by Clarkson.

When many had lost hope in the men's basketball team, this year's team reignited our initial passion for watching basketball. We shouted in front of the screen, quietly cheering in the late hours, and we saw the spirit of the men's team; it is this spirit that can rekindle our love for the game.

We see the future in this men's basketball team. As young talents like Yang Hanshen and Zeng Fanbo join, we will surely improve. Let’s leave the regret of last night’s one-point loss to the future to amend; I believe that day is not far off.