Basketball

Sameen Swint of the Thang Long Warriors (No. 0) dribbles the ball in an attack against the HCM City Wings in the VBA on June 15. The Warriors won 80-77. — Photo courtesy of VBA

HÀ NỘI — The Thang Long Warriors secured their second win of the VBA season, defeating the HCM City Wings 80-77 on June 15 at Hà Nội's Cầu Giấy Gymnasium.

While the Wings relied on Vincent Nguyễn, Jeremy Smith and Amir Williams, the Warriors believed in John Fields, Sameen Swint and Justin Young.

The match was very interesting as the two teams showed their balance at each position on the court, leading to a score of 40-39 for the Warriors after the first two quarters.

The balance remained in the second half as neither club could create a gap of more than five points with their rival.

It was 73-72 for the Warriors when there were only about two minutes left. 

Young talent Bùi Anh Khoa wasted his chance to level the score for the Wings as he was not guarded but his shot was off the mark. The ball went to captain Justin Young of the Warriors who opened a counter-attack and Đặng Thái Hưng made a perfect three-pointer, making it 76-72.

With 30 seconds left, Trương Hoàng Trung made two points from free throws before successfully blocking Jeremy Smith's shot from outside the three-point arc.

The Wings attacked hard to secure five more points while the Warriors could make only two. But it was enough for the second win for the 2020 VBA runner-up.

Sameen Swint with 22 points, four rebounds and six assists was player of the game. It was his second such honor. Earlier, he accounted for 32 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Warriors' 106-94 win over the Danang Dragons.

Meanwhile, Amir Williams of the Wings made six blocks and 13 rebounds and was named 'block machine 2023' as he was only three blocks short of 2019's record by De Angelo Hamilton.

The Warriors, joining the top teams in the league with two wins, will next play the Nha Trang Dolphins on June 19 while the Wings will meet defending champion Saigon Heat a day later.

On June 16, a night game will see the Cantho Catfish against the Nha Trang Dolphins.

Both of them are seeking their first victory of the season after losing their first matches earlier this week. — VNS