Basketball

Huỳnh Thanh Tâm of 3F Galaxy tries to pass Hà Nội players during the HBC's opening match on December 16. Hà Nội win 90-84. Photos of Next Sports

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội successfully beat defending champion 3F Galaxy in the opening match of the second Hà Nội Basketball Championship on December 16.

Although a reigning champion, 3F could not set up their domination on their rival.

3F took lead from the beginning and extended their gap to a two-digit number in the third quarter of the match.

Their key players such as Đinh Tiến Công, Lê Hiếu Thành and Nguyễn Tiến Dương made the audience crazy with their perfect three pointers. Their powerful dynamic attacks left Hà Nội's defence in mess.

However, Hà Nội were never an easy rival. They also had VBA players like Tô Ngọc Khánh, Vũ Ngọc Khánh and Nguyễn Huy Hoàng to face the winner of the Vietnam Basketball Championship.

They did not have many three-pointers but their effective attempts always brought points home.

After being under level in the first three rounds, Hà Nội fought back strongly in the fourth. They gradually narrowed the gap and levelled the score at 79-all. The match went to extra time when Hà Nội eliminated 3F at 90-84.

Overcoming all the stars, Hoàng was the most valuable player of the match as he scored 26 points along with two rebounds and three assists.

In other matches of the first day, Ba Đình beat Phòng Không Không Quân 90-63; Scorpius won 89-76 against Basket Sags; and The Zoo lost 62-81 to Dwarf.

The Hanoi Basketball Championship 2023 SEASON 2 by VNPAY features 15 teams competing in men's and women's disciplines from December 16 to 31 at the Thanh Trì Gymnasium.

The tournament has made breakthrough change and improvement with increasing the number of participants to 10 teams in the men's category.

Music, dance and special performance are also part of the second season of the HBC.

The appearance of a new and professional team VBA Thang Long Warriors will help upgrade the quality of the event. At the same time, non-professional but rich in tradition clubs such as Ba Đình and Basket Sags have the opportunity to compete in an official tournament against rivals who only participate in the framework of the National Basketball Championship such as the Hà Nội and Phòng Không Không Quân.

The winner of the HBC will receive VNĐ100 million and a slot in the grand finale Vietnam Basketball Championship in October, 2024.

Tô Duy, head of the organising board, said the tournament was back and expected to bridge amateur and professional basketball of Việt Nam.

"It is considered a playing ground where talented players will be picked for national teams and a foundation for young players to develop and shine. It is an activity to push the development of basketball and sport generally in Việt Nam," he said.

Supporters of the HBC will be treated with quality matches and exciting music and dance performance for free. Those who choose paid seats at the courtside area will receive cute gifts and delicious food during matches running all day.

For those who could not come to the gymnasium in person, live broadcast matches are available on VTVcab's multi channels such as ON Sports; App: ON, ON Sports TV; Facebook: ON Sports; and Youtube: ON Bóng rổ.

The tournament is a jointly organised event of Next Sports and VTVcab. VNS