Chapter 117: The Ace Player

“My words, my words, unmatched by anyone!” The cheers of the cheerleading squad from Wuyan University of Technology echoed all around.

As the team that ranked third in last year’s National University Basketball League, such fervent cheers for Wuyan University were only natural.

Meanwhile, at Tiancheng Polytechnic University, not a single cheer could be heard.

It wasn’t due to Tiancheng Polytechnic’s notorious reputation as the perennial bottom-dweller; in fact, the basketball team’s recent advancement to the finals of the National University Basketball League had greatly enhanced their prestige within their own school and neighboring institutions.

Originally, Lin Ling and Li Shishi had planned to rally a group of Geng Haoshi’s loyal fans to cheer for Tiancheng Polytechnic, but since both had exams today, the gathering had to be postponed.

“Tch! They’re not even the top-ranked team, yet they shout ‘unmatched by anyone’,” Zhu Di scoffed disdainfully at the “mindless” crowd.

“Beep—”

With the sound of the whistle, the finals of the 2017 National University Basketball League officially commenced.

Meng Lang secured the top rebound and passed the ball into Sun Peng’s hands.

But within two seconds of holding the ball, Sun Peng was snatched by Wuyan University’s number 3 player who suddenly appeared from his side!

“So fast!” exclaimed the middle-aged man with a mustache, who had often been seen in the stands during the preliminary rounds of the National University Basketball League, admiring the swift steal.

Frustrated after losing the ball, Sun Peng wanted to retrieve it. Unexpectedly, the number 3 player from the opposing team dashed forward at an incredible speed—in the blink of an eye, he had driven the ball into Tiancheng Polytechnic’s half-court restricted area!

“Stop him!” Sun Peng shouted to Zhu Di near the paint.

Zhu Di reacted quickly, positioning himself right in front of number 3.

Suddenly, the opposing number 3 halted abruptly, spun with the ball in a fluid, lightning-fast move, and slipped past Zhu Di.

After evading Zhu Di, the number 3 player leapt directly for a layup... and scored.

In less than ten seconds from the start, Wuyan University had claimed the first basket!

From stealing Sun Peng’s ball, to driving into the paint, to dribbling past Zhu Di and scoring, the number 3 player completed the entire sequence in just six seconds.

“My words, my words, unmatched by anyone!” “My words, my words, unmatched by anyone!” The crowd erupted in cheers immediately after number 3 scored.

Quickly, Zhu Di inbounded the ball, and Zhou Xiaoshan took possession to organize the offense.

Zhou Xiaoshan had barely crossed into Wuyan University’s half when number 3 stepped in front of him.

Looking at the opponent, Zhou Xiaoshan took a deep breath, thinking, *Just perfect timing—I’ll score against you!*

Within Tiancheng Polytechnic’s basketball team, the fastest player was the shortest, Geng Haoshi. The second fastest was their starting point guard, Zhou Xiaoshan.

Having witnessed number 3’s rapid scoring, Zhou Xiaoshan was confident he could match it. He trusted his speed and ball skills.

Zhou Xiaoshan dribbled, feinting left and right, high and low. Number 3 mirrored his movements—left, right, up, down—so skillfully that Zhou Xiaoshan found no opening to break through his defense.

“Xiaoshan, what are you doing? Pass the ball!” Meng Lang raised his hand, signaling him to pass.

Though reluctant, Zhou Xiaoshan realized he had wasted precious seconds; passing was the wisest choice now.

He raised his hand toward Meng Lang... “Bang!” Before he could release the ball, number 3 suddenly slapped it away!

Zhou Xiaoshan was stunned. Before he could recover, the ball was already in number 3’s hands!

Without hesitation, number 3 rushed back to Tiancheng Polytechnic’s half.

“Fall back on defense!”

Zhu Di and Zhou Xiaoshan hurried back and took defensive stances near the paint.

But this time, number 3 didn’t drive straight to the basket. Instead, he suddenly stopped, posing as if preparing to shoot.

Zhu Di reached out to block.

Number 3 leaned back against Zhu Di’s outstretched arm and completed the shot.

The ball sailed in again!

In barely twenty seconds of play, Wuyan University had scored four points thanks to their number 3 player.

Yu Manman looked over the player profiles in her hand. The information on number 3 was as follows—Wu Yan, 21 years old, 176 cm tall, 68 kg, an all-around player, and the most talented athlete in Wuyan University’s basketball history.

“Wu Yan, Wu Yan, unmatched by anyone!” “Wu Yan, Wu Yan, unmatched by anyone!” The crowd roared again as Wu Yan scored.

So the cheers from the stands had been for Wu Yan all along.

“A guy named ‘Wu Yan’ is the ace player of Wuyan University... really leaves one speechless,” even Yu Manman, usually the ice queen, couldn’t help but quip after spending so much time with Tiancheng’s team.

At the coaching bench, Yu Manman propped her chin on her left hand, pondering: Wu Yan wasn’t just fast and skilled with accurate shots; he also adapted swiftly under defense and sudden situations—his basketball sense was excellent. Even double-teaming him rarely worked; could they assign three defenders? No—that would be counterproductive.

Yu Manman mulled over her options but found no effective solution.

“Wu Yan, Wu Yan, unmatched by anyone!” “Wu Yan, Wu Yan, unmatched by anyone!” The cheers rose once more.

While Yu Manman strategized, Wu Yan sank another shot—this time a three-pointer!

In just over thirty seconds, Wuyan University had scored three consecutive baskets, while Tiancheng Polytechnic remained scoreless. The scoreboard read 0 to 7, with Wuyan leading by seven.

“Damn! Lost points again without noticing!” Yu Manman cursed inwardly.

It was barely half a minute into the game, and seven points had already been conceded... they couldn’t let this continue!

But how to stop Wu Yan?

Tilting her head, Yu Manman happened to glance at Geng Haoshi still sitting, lost in thought...