The ball control returns to Shohoku, Hanamichi has managed to stop Eiji and redeem his mistake. Shohoku on the offense, Ryota passes to Rukawa. Rukawa looks like he plan to force his way through, but instead passes to Mitsui. Mitsui fools Matsumoto and gives the ball to Akagi for another 2 points. Hanamichi decided to disrupt Eiji's train of concentration by moving to guard Eiji with Rukawa. Eiji isn't prepared and Rukawa steals the ball, Rukawa opens up another opportunity for Mitsui to score. 3 points. Eiji is now uncertain who is marking him, is it Rukawa or Hanamichi. The result is that his shooting goes off and misses. Hanamichi saves the ball, giving Shohoku another chance to attack. Rukawa strikes, and evades Eiji, and using Eiji's trademark 'lob shot' to score passed Masafumi. Score 66 to 74. However despite Eiji not always successful, Fukatsu and Masafumi still pass to him. The reason is out of trust or faith in their ace player. Eiji on the attack and Rukawa cannot stop him, Hanamichi tells Akagi to leave Masafumi and help guard against Eiji. Eiji jumps to shoot, and Hanamichi guards. But Eiji alters his attack to under arm lob. At that time, Akagi appears to deflect the ball away. A slip up by Ryota enables Fukatsu to clip the ball out of his hands. The ball is about to go out of bounds, but Hanamichi saves it. There is a cost, Hanamichi rolls over the table and lies motionless. Rukawa's comment brings him back, and there are chants from the crowd in support for Shohoku. Hanamichi is happy, and then notices a pain in his back. Akagi is given a chance to score, and Masafumi runs to defend. Like a phobia Akagi does a fade away shot to not let Masafumi stop him. The ball misses and Hanamichi swipes the ball away, the pain in his back is building up. Rukawa notices this and galls Hanamichi to concentrate harder. Hanamichi remembers the night when he challenged Rukawa. Time and time again he failed to stop Rukawa. Rukawa says to Hanamichi that at the time he was using all his potential, and if Hanamichi doesn't want to be subbed off he will have to concentrate harder. Rukawa gets the ball, and Eiji marks him. Instead of challenging, Rukawa does a 3 point shot and scores. 69 to 74. Sannoh coach Doumoto calls for a time out. Back at the Shohoku side bench everyone is cheering. Akagi thinks about his past and people mocking his dream of taking on Sannoh, but now he has a team who will help him with his dream. Emotionally Akagi weeps tears and the team members make fun. Hanamichi on the other hand is given bad news by Ayako, about his back. Hanamichi shrugs the news aside and rallies the team. Sannoh are back on the court. In the next few seconds a quick attack by Fukatsu with Masafumi scores 2points. Score 69 to 76. Sannoh are using the 'all court defense' strategy again. Ryota breaks free and still Sannoh run back to recover their defense. Ryota passes to Akagi, Uozumi yells to Akagi to attack with his great bulk. Akagi overcomes his phobia of Masafumi and shoots. The ball misses and yet Hanamichi slams in the ball. Everyone is stunned by such a performance, however the referee blew the whistle against Masafumi for fouling. So that means that Hanamichi's slam isn't counted. Akagi is shocked to see Hanamichi is in great pain and takes him to the side. Akagi takes the free throw and scores. 70 to 76. Hanamichi in pain recalls his past with the basketball team. One question came through his pain, 'Do you like basketball?'. The next moment Hanamichi is standing up, hands on Haruko's shoulders saying 'I love it very much'.