Nguyễn Tiến Dương (right) scores the final points in the Hanoi Buffaloes's 93-91 win over Thang Long Warriors on June 29 in Hà Nội. Photo of VBA

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Tiến Dương scored the winning point to help Hanoi Buffaloes secure victory at the 2023 VBA's 20th game against Thang Long Warriors in the capital derby on June 29.

The  1,000-seater Cầu Giấy Gymnasium was full of supporters who witnessed a fierce battle from beginning to end.

Both teams secured three wins and two losses to stay at third and fourth places, respectively.

The teams played tit-for-tat in which their foreign players, Udun Osakue of the Buffaloes and Sameen Swint of the Warriors, both scored 20 points each in the first two quarters.

Swint showed his superior skill alongside the towering John Fields, helping the Warriors lead 56-52 at the break.

The Buffaloes newcomer Osakue suffered an injury and was sidelined, causing his team a challenge in earning points. However, their defenders worked well, blocking Warriors's forwards.

Defenders Nguyễn Tiến Dương and Tô Ngọc Khánh kept fans on the edge of their seats with a run of perfect three-pointers

Anthony January and Đinh Thanh Tâm made up a five-point run to push the Buffaloes lead to 91-86 with just two minutes remaining.

Fields scored five points in a row from counter-attacks to level the score at 91-91, making the game intense for everyone present. 

The Warrriors managed the ball in the last 15 seconds. Swint gave the ball to Justin Young who broke through the Buffaloes defenders to score. However, Phạm Đức Kiên successfully denied him. Teammate January took the ball and started a counter-attack, sending the ball to Dương who scored two points and wrapped up the game for the Buffaloes at 93-91.

January won Player of the Games with 30 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.

The Warriors will rest for a week before the second stage of the league. They will play the Nha Trang Dolphins on July 7.

The Buffaloes will meet with defending champion Saigon Heat one day later. VNS