Basketball

John Fields of Thanglong Warriors jumps to score during the match between the Warriors and Saigon Heat on August 27. The Warriors won 82-68. — Photos of VBA

HÀ NỘI — Thanglong Warriors dumped Saigon Heat from top of the VBA after their 82-68 win on August 27 in Hà Nội.

Playing their last match of the regular season on home turf at the Tây Hồ District Gymnasium was full of supporters of the Warriors.

With the atmosphere at fever pitch, the hosts pulled-off a brilliant performance that helped them to pay their debt of losing two previous matches to the defending champions.

Towering forward John Fields was in his best form to push the Warriors to the lead at 12-4 in early minutes of the first quarter.

On the visiting side, 1.98m Kentrell Barkley took charge of the front line. All balls were sent to the American swingman whose storming performance helped the Heat narrow the gap at 19-18.

In the second quarter, Nguyễn Tuấn Anh and Lê Hiếu Thành found form with many consecutive shots including three-pointers for the hosts. The Warriors widened their lead to 36-24 in the sixth minute of Q2.

The Heat seemed to have not recovered from a loss to Hanoi Buffaloes five days ago. Their players could not find their pace as usual, failing in most of their three-pointer attempts.

It was time for Sameen Swint to show his ability. The American guard broke the Heat's defence and sealed a score of 42-32.

Supporters enjoy a big win for the host side against the defending champions.

Barkley was still the key point hunter of the Heat in the third quarter. His outstanding performance again helped narrow the gap to 49-45 on the fifth minute. 

Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh and Tim Waale shared the task with him with The Heat maintaining a four-point gap at 59-55 before the last quarter.

Local duo Hiếu Thành and Tuấn Anh continued to give their fans something to shout about with three-points under the helpless eyes of the Heat's defenders. It was 69-60 for the Warriors on seven minutes.

Under Fields' leadership, the Worriors gained points from most of their attacks meanwhile Barkley was still active in the front line for the Heat but the lonely forward could not shoulder all the responsibility as his team were clearly having a bad day.

With 30 seconds left, the Warriors led 77-68. Trương Hoàng Trung ended the Heat's hope with his perfect three-pointer, before he succeeded with two free throws to end the game at 82-68.

Fields made a double-double (20 points, 19 rebounds and four assists) in this game and received the Player of the Game award.

Cheer leaders perform during a crazy night for the Warriors.

"(Today) strong assistance from teammates and great support of fans help me to play much better," said Fields.

"It is a great game as we can beat Saigon Heat today. This win is more meaningful because it is our last game at home in regular season."

Thanglong maintain in top four ranking after the win and are to threat the third place of Nha Trang Dolphines. Meanwhile, the loss drop the Heat to the second position below the Buffaloes.

In the next fixtures, the Heat will host Danang Dragons at their Canadian International School campus on August 30. The Warriors will play Cantho Catfish one day later. — VNS