City Wings' defence (blue shirts) couldn't stop January from netting the ball. — Photo courtesy of VBA

HCM CITY — City Wings was at a huge disadvantage on home turf against the Hà Nội Buffaloes without their star player Amir Williams.

The Buffaloes were second in the standings having just landed two wins against Thăng Long Warriors and the defending champions Saigon Heat. City Wings had four consecutive losses and ranked sixth in the rankings.

Despite difficulties, the City Wings started impressively, leading the Buffaloes in the first four minutes of the match.

However, it was not difficult for the Buffaloes to fully control the game. The away team ended the first quarter with a score of 22-32

Things became more difficult for the Wings in the second quarter - their players were not in good form and didn't score any points in the first seven minutes.

Buffaloes players Udun Osakue, Nguyễn Tiến Dương, and Anthony January scored with ease. January dominated the restricted area and no one from the Wings could pin him down or compare to him for the rebound stat.

The first half ended with a 30-point lead to Buffalos at 30-60.

With the gap growing, the Buffaloes players comfortably deployed their gameplay in the remaining two quarters while the Wings had to accept defeat with a score of 63-94.

After this victory, the Buffaloes rose to second place in the VBA 2023 standings with a record of six wins and two defeats, while City Wings remained in sixth place with two wins and five defeats.

Anthony January won the Man of the Match and broke a VBA record, being the first player to score 31 points and 31 rebounds in a game. — VNS