A do-or-die match! An 18-point victory over the provincial team! The Chinese men's basketball team is still alive.

Moments ago, China's men's basketball team beat the provincial team 92-74.

Zhao Jiwei scored 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals; Li Hongquan 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; Hu Jinqiu 13 points, 6 rebounds; Pang Zhenglin 11 points; Yang Hansen 10 points, 5 rebounds; Liao Sanning 5 points; Zhu Junlong 4 points, 6 rebounds; Cui Yongxi 4 points, 5 rebounds; He Xining 4 points; Gao Shiyan 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Wang Junjie 3 points.

With a 3-3 record in the first round, they advanced to the second stage of the World Cup qualifiers. Whether they finish second or third in the group depends on the upcoming match between South Korea and Japan.

According to the rules, the results from the first stage carry over to the second. The top three of this group will form a new group with Lebanon, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

The greatest significance of today's victory is: staying alive.

Keeping the flame alive until August, so that us fans still have games to watch.

As for whether they can secure one of Asia's 8 spots, the fight continues...

Today's big win, I believe, will bring the lads a brief moment of relief.

After all, if they had lost, the problems would be huge.

But if we start wildly praising them just for beating the provincial team, that's really unnecessary... If the team has greater ambitions, there still needs to be many changes.

For example, on the offensive end.

With this level of offense, they are likely to struggle in the next stage.

Coach Guo is strict, pragmatic, and has a strong sense of responsibility. He really wants to do a good job, and he sets an example by doing what he asks of his players.

However, there are also shortcomings.

The most typical one is the stubbornness that Chinese coaches often have.

Once he sets his mind on something, it's very hard to change.

Players he doesn't rate may never get another chance... For example, Lin Wei.

From his lineup choices, the biggest characteristic is: emphasis on defense.

But looking back, when they were beaten by Japan the other day, did we ever consider how they managed to become runners-up in the Asian Cup last year?

Was it defense?

It was the amazing shooting percentages.

Field goal percentage 49.1%, first among 16 teams; three-point percentage 39.9%, first; free throw percentage 80.3%, first.

How to carry forward the successful experience? Judging from the player combinations in these two games, it's hard to achieve.

Without Zhao Rui and Hu Mingxuan, the two sharp blades, the guard line is far weaker.

The several guards on today's 12-man roster each have their own weaknesses.

Zhao Jiwei can perform against a team like the provincial one, but if the physical intensity rises a level, it's tough for him.

Gao Shiyan, if used, must be in specific moments and specific defensive possessions.

Liao Sanning, fans jokingly call him "Yun-20" (a reference to a transport plane) — that says it all.

Pang Zhenglin, "speed is the ultimate weapon" — he surprised fans today, but as said before, for him to shine, you have to allow him to make some mistakes.

Among these four guards, Jiwei is the best three-point shooter.

However, he has proven through multiple world competitions the limitations imposed by his physical attributes.

Finally, let's talk about Yang Hansen, who returned from the NBA.

I still hold the same view: lower your expectations.

His growth over the past year in the US hasn't been as fast as many imagined.

Some of his supporters really don't need to complain about the head coach not giving him plays or making him the core.

Today, he had the only negative plus-minus on the Chinese team (-4).

Although plus-minus doesn't tell the whole story, it does somewhat indicate that his contribution to the team isn't that great.

Many of the things he does, Yu Jiahao and Xu Xin can also do, and might even do better.

For instance, Xu Xin, who only played 28 seconds this window, has the potential to be a huge defensive presence.

But the opportunities given to him are simply too few...