Basketball

Hassan Thomas of Saigon Heat (in white) attempts a shot during the VBA match between the Heat and Cantho Catfish. The Heat won 89-83 to remain unbeaten after the first stage. Photo courtesy of VBA

HÀ NỘI — Saigon Heat remain undefeated and top the table after the first stage of the 2023 VBA season.

The Heat beat Cantho Catfish 83-89 at the centralised venue Cầu Giấy Gymnasium in Hà Nội.

Prior to the stage's last match, the Heat have won all five games, proving their higher level over the rest.

Meanwhile the Catfish won two and lost three. With the remarkable form of Brachon Griffin, Indonesian league 2022's most valuable player, the team expected to secure a more comfortable win.

Matt Van Pelt asked his players to be strong in defence and kept close eye on left-handed Griffin. The towering American was on form outside the three-meter line but he met strong resistance when trying to break closer to the basket.

His teammates DeAngelo Hamilton also faced the same problem as the Heat's tall players Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh, Hassan Thomas and Kentrell Barkley set up a strong wall to guard their basket.

In the front line, the Heat's forwards did good job with 10 three-pointers in the first two quarters. Despite focusing on defence, the defending champions maintained their lead throughout the first half.

It was Tăng Minh Trí's two three-pointers in a row seconds before the half time helped the Catfish narrow the gap to 35-48.

In the second half, 2.03m-tall Vinh was sidelined due to repeated personal fouls. At the same time, his forwards could not score from three-meter line.

It was time for the Catfish to fight back.

Michael Soy opened consecutive attacks to narrow the gap. He also caused Barkley to be sent off after two technical faults.

The absence of play-maker Barkley was seen as a rare chance for the Catfish to be the first team to beat Heat this season.

Their strong attacks brought them within three points of the Heat with just a minute left on the clock.

However, former national defender Dư Minh An made his mark at right time. He lured three Catfish defenders before throwing the ball to Hassan Thomas who scored a perfect three pointer for the Heat in the last seconds, wrapping up the game at 89-83 for his team.

Thomas's impressive performance gave him his first Player of the Game award. He scored 34 points and made 11 rebounds along with eight three-pointers, as many as the VBA's record by Võ Kim Bản in VBA 2020's final match.

After the first stage of the Regular Season, the Heat are on top with six wins, followed by Nha Trang Dolphins and Hanoi Buffaloes.

The Catfish sit in fifth place with two wins and four losses. Danang Dragons stay at the bottom, losing all six games.

Teams will have one week rest before taking part in the home-and-away second stage on July 8.

The opening match is between the Dolphins and Thang Long Warriors at the Nha Trang University Gymnasium. VNS