Basketball

Jevonnie Scott of Saigon Heat.EXE (entre) tries to score point during the stage 6's final match on June 2. Photos of VBA

HCM CITY — Saigon Heat.EXE took their third stage win while Shanghai Surtai.EXE had their second time on top podium of the 3x3.EXE Premier Vietnam on the weekend.

Shanghai Surtai from China defeated Kuala Lumpur.EXE of Malaysia 21-13 in the final of the fifth stage on June 1 at the Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium in HCM City.

While Henry Iloka was a strong wall in front of the Chinese side's basket Marko Milakovic met with almost no difficulty to score. The duo helped Shanghai Surtai pay the debt of losing 12-21 to Kuala Lumpur in the group round match.

It was Shanghai Surtai's second stage win after their first time winning the second stage on May 19. Meanwhile Milakovic, despite a rookie, took the MVP title of this stage.

A day later, Shanghai Surtai stormed to the final of the sixth stage facing the Heat of the hosts which won stage three and four late May.

Having beaten the Heat 15-14 in the group round, Shanghai Surtai were confident for another win.

However, with some adjustment, the Heat were a totally different side. They played equally until it was 17-15 for the visitors.

It was when Jevonnie Scott stole the spot light. His amazing two three-pointers in the last minutes helped the Heat secured a 21-15 win. Scott was voted MVP of the match.

The last two stages will be held on June 8-9.

It was the first time that the 3x3.EXE tournament held in Việt Nam. The new format and regulation however received strong support and love from players.

'It is a high professional quality tournament as it is under the cooperation with Japan, the homeland of the world's largest 3x3 basketball competition," said Võ Kim Bản of Saigon Heat.

"The tournament is well organised with the participation of international teams to increase competitiveness and quality of games. I believe this first season is really good and explosive."

Defender Wai Kin Chua of Kuala Lumpur praised the special competition as each team would be a different version stage after stage. Teams and players themselves had to take more time to research and analyse their rivals carefully while fix their errors quickly before taking part in the next stages.

Henry Iloka of Shanghai Surtai.EXE praise the high quality of players at the 3x3.EXE Premier Vietnam

Iloka, who competed in the FIBA's World Tour Manila 2022 and World Tour Cebu 2022, meanwhile was surprised with quality of players.

He said teams prepared very carefully for each match and had outstanding individuals to lead the team. He believed his Shanghai Surtai was the strongest one with many world high-ranking and experienced players. They would try to accomplish their set goals. VNS