Basketball

Saigon ProAm Basketball Cup Season 2 will be held on March 13-23 in HCM City. Photos of VBC

HCM CITY — The Saigon ProAm Basketball Cup will be return to the city with competitive matches featuring both amateur and professional players at Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium, HCM City.

The second season will see 11 clubs, three more than the first season, competing March 13-23.

“The Saigon ProAm Basketball Cup 2024 brought by VNPAY will be really be a tournament to watch with the participation of veteran clubs such as reigning champion Next Level and Bảo Lộc along with newbies like Kimban Hoops and AIP Dreamers as well as guest teams Phú Thọ and Lãnh Binh Thăng," said head of the organising board Tô Duy. "The higher number of participants ensures a better chance for athletes to play and show their technique. Meanwhile, the competitiveness of the tournament will be increased as teams must work harder for wins."

This season, clubs could register as many professional and overseas Vietnamese players as possible but only one foreigner per team is allowed.

During 10 days of competition, basketball lovers will watch many VBA players wearing jersey of new teams. Among them are Huỳnh Thanh Tâm (Limitless Hoop), Võ Kim Bản (Kimban Hoops), Justin Young (Next Level Basketball) and Michael Soy (AIP Dreamers).

Players of Next Level (in black) and Limitless Hoop (in red) in the season one final. Next Level won 88 - 79 to take the trophy.

"Through the increasing number of teams, we also see the strong development of basketball in HCM City. We hope that from this tournament we will find basketball talent," Duy said. "We do not limit the number of pro and overseas Vietnamese players here as we want to push the love of sports, especially basketball. Don't care much about results but let's promote sport spirit, learn and develop ourselves."

The winner of the VNĐ200 million (US$8,100) tournament will lift the trophy and secure a berth in the Vietnam ProAm Basketball Championship scheduled in October.

In addition to competitive matches, supporters will enjoy the Fanzone space where they can shop for souvenir items as well as sportswear of different brands with discounts and gifted vouchers.

"We not only care about sport but also entertainment for our fans. Famous rappers and artists will come to entertain people. Mini games and other sideline activities will be organised to make sure our tournament is a place to visit," Duy said.

The tournament is jointly organised by New Sports and VTVcab under the help of HCM City's Culture and Sports Department and Basketball Federation. — VNS