SEA Games

Vietnamese women's 3x3 basketball team won a historic SEA Games title on May 7. VNS Photo Bảng Nguyễn

HÀ NỘI — An sporting earthquake occurred at the Morodok Techo National Stadium as Việt Nam beat the Philippines to win the women’s 3x3 basketball gold medal on May 7.

This was a historic moment for the Vietnamese team as they won regional gold for the first time.

Captain Huỳnh Thị Ngoan and her teammates burst into tears when they grabbed the last point to win 21-16 against the Filipinas, who were bigger, taller and tougher than those they met in the group round.

Last year's silver medallist Việt Nam advanced to the semi-finals against Indonesia after winning all three matches in the group stage.

Indonesia quickly went ahead and led 9-4 in the first minutes of the match, but the Golden Star Warriors came back to level at 17-all.

They pocketed two more points, beating Indonesia by a single point.

With just a minute left, Trương Thảo Vy made a perfect long throw to score two final points to push Việt Nam to the final.

In the other semis, the Philippines won 21-20 over Cambodia to set up a rematch with Việt Nam.

Hours after the semis, Việt Nam were confident heading to the final as they beat the Philippines 21-19 in qualification and expected to turn their silver to gold this year.

In the previous Games final, they lost in the last seconds to Thailand.

Trương Thảo My runs the ball away from a Philippines player in the final match. Việt Nam won 21-16. VNA/VNS Photo

The Trương twins were the highlights of the match as they pushed Việt Nam to the lead from the beginning until the end.

With 18 seconds remaining, the Vietnamese nailed the game-winner with two successful throws by Trương Thảo Vy.

Ngoan, Trương twins and Nguyễn Tiểu Duy were moved to tears on the court.

“We faced challenges heading into this final," said Ngoan, who also captained Việt Nam to winning the Asian Tour last month in Manila. "It was the hot weather and our exhausted fitness after four matches.”

Players thank supporters after their win at the Morodok Techo National Stadium. VNA/VNS Photo

“This victory is for Việt Nam basketball and the Vietnamese people. This title is also the best milestone in my career.”

On the men’s side, Cambodia clinched their first gold medal in SEA Games basketball at the expense of the Filipinos. With three out of four players naturalised, the hosts won 20-15.

Việt Nam, who won silver last Games, finished fourth after losing to Thailand in the third-place playoff. VNS