Phú Vinh with 14 points and 14 rebounds, became the first local player to win Player of the Game. Photo courtesy of VBA

ĐÀ NẴNG — The first place Saigon Heat won easily against last place Danang Dragons in a match held on Sunday. 

Before the game, the Dragons faced a huge disadvantage as their number one scorer Jermaine Marrow could not play due to his unsportsmanlike foul in the previous game. 

With the better squad, the Heat easily controlled the game. 

Heat coach Matt Van Pelt boldly gave his local players a chance to play. Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh, Võ Kim Bản, and Dư Minh An all showed their abilities, helping the Heat to overwhelm the host.

In just the first three minutes, the Heat had an 11-0 lead before taking full control of the first quarter with a score of 18-33.

In the second quarter, the lead was increased to 25-41 for the guest.

Before the break, "Black Panther" Nguyễn Anh Kiệt and Từ Dương Huy helped the host narrow the lead to 38-46.

After the break, the Heat's starting five players returned to the court, and the away team quickly increased the lead to 54-68.

In the last quarter, both teams decided not to use foreign players.

Not missing this opportunity, the young players of the home team played with high determination, narrowing the score to 72-77.

Although the opponent caught up, coach Matt Van Pelt still believed in his local players.

In response to this trust, the duo Võ Kim Bản and Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh continuously scored to bring the final victory for the Heat with the match ending with the score 76-86.

Phú Vinh became the first local player to win Player of the Game with 14 points and 14 rebounds. VNS