Basketball  

Shanghai Surtai.EXE takes a second stage win of the 3X3.EXE Premier Vietnam basketball tournament on May 19 in HCM City. Photos of VBA

HCM CITY -- Shanghai Surtai.EXE won the second stage of the 3X3.EXE Premier Vietnam basketball tournament on May 19 in HCM City.

The Chinese representative defeated Kuala Lumpur.EXE of Malaysia 22-15 in the final match at the Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium.

It was a second meet at this stage and the third after two stages, so Shanghai Surtai.EXE were able to learn their opponent's game plan, creating many difficulties for Kuala Lumpur.EXE. They quickly took a lead, extended the gap and blocked Kuala Lumpur players from scoring, before taking the win.

Vietnamese teams Next Level Basketball.EXE and Saigon Heat.EXE tried hard to bolster their line ups but could not find a play into the final match.

Players of Shanghai Surtai.EXE and Kuala Lumpur.EXE (in white) seen in action during the final of the second stage.

Earlier, Kuala Lumpur.EXE beat Saigon Heat.EXE 21-19 to win the first stage on May 18.

The 3X3.EXE Premier Vietnam is one of five conferences of the 3x3.EXE PREMIER, the first national professional league in the world. It is the world's largest 3x3 basketball competition with tournaments across the globe. 

The Vietnamese participation of six teams was organised by the Vietnam Pro Basketball League (VBA).

Trần Chu Sa, CEO of VBA, said: "Strengthening international cooperation and attracting resources for sports development is one of the key motivators for HCM City in the new phase of sports development strategy.

"Supporting this policy, we have decided to open this year's season by bringing the 3x3.EXE Premier tournament to Việt Nam.

"The tournament will be a turning point and help us enhance the reputation of Vietnamese basketball in the international sports community, creating conditions for athletes to accumulate experience and participate in the highest level of 3x3 in the world -- FIBA ​​3x3 World Tour.

"At the same time, it promotes the basketball movement across the country, together making basketball develop higher, faster and stronger."

The third and fourth stages will be held on May 25-26 at the same venue.

Alongside the tournament the VBA signed a contract with the International Rehabilitation Centre (IRC) aiming to enhance sustainable sports performance for athletes.

As an official partner of the VBA until 2025, the IRC, home to a team of leading doctors and experts in the field of physical therapy - sports medicine at home and abroad, will take care of injury rehabilitation, helping athletes maintain the best physical condition before, during and after competitions. VNS