Bayi Rockets celebrate head coach Wang Zhizhi's birthday with victory

It is head coach Wang Zhizhi's 43rd birthday and Bayi Rockets celebrated with a long-awaited win.

The team defeated Shanxi Loongs 113:108 in overtime on Wednesday to seal the team's fourth win for the season.

Bayi launched effective offense from the beginning, making 10 three-pointers in the first quarter. Zou Yuchen was rotated off during the first quarter after a knee-on-knee hit, but to everyone's reassurance, no serious damage was made. The 24-year-old was rotated back in the second quarter.

As the game dived into the third quarter, Bayi Rockets has extended their lead to 10 points.

Zou Yuchen of Bayi Rockets celebrates with teammates during a CBA game between Bayi Rockets and Shanxi Loongs in Qingdao, China, July 8, 2020. /Xinhua

The Bayi Rockets has only claimed three wins this season. Many times, Wang Zhizhi attributed the failure to the team's lack of ability to maintain its lead till the end. And the same situation seemed to repeat itself on Wednesday.

With many rounds of fruitless offense, Bayi was outscored by Shanxi half way into the third quarter. The two teams rotated their lead till the end of the fourth quarter and the score tied at 96 with one minute left. No side was able to make a shot for the whole minute and the game was dragged into overtime.

Fu Hao, who scored a game-high 31 points for Bayi, made the first shot in the overtime. Lei Meng then made two crucial shots for the team and Zou Yuchen's key two-pointer and a free throw helped Bayi seal the victory.

Wang Zhizhi talks to Bayi Rockets player Ning Hongyu during a CBA game between Bayi Rockets and Nanjing Monkey King in Qingdao, China, June 28, 2020. /VCG

During the second quarter, the game was halted after a controversial call was made over whether a shot made by Luo Kaiwen of Bayi touched the basket rim. Wang Zhizhi approached the referees and suggested they review it through the replay system. The ball was found to have touched the basket's rim.

Even after so many years playing and coaching, Wang Zhizhi is still as persistent and meticulous with each offense and defense, but has also learnt to handle every situation with poise.

"Many thanks to our players for this victory," he said after the game. "I hope I can continue to do my part to help Chinese basketball as well as Bayi Rockets."

(Cover image: Wang Zhizhi coaches at the sideline during a CBA game between Bayi Rockets and Nanjing Monkey King in Qingdao, China, June 28, 2020. /VCG)