Hassan Thomas with a double -double ( 30 points, 17 rebounds) helped the Buffaloes secured their number two seed. Photo courtesy of VBA

HÀ NỘI — The heavy rain in Hà Nội on Monday could not stop the heat of the matchup between the Hanoi Buffaloes and the Cần Thơ Catfish.

This was the third matchup between these rivalries and the first time the game was held in Hà Nội this regular season.

Both teams needed a win to secure their place in the semi-finals. While the guests needed a win to avoid the Saigon Heat in the semi final, the home team also wanted a win to get the home advantage in the semi final.

Before the game, the Catfish signed a 14-day contract with Joshua Keyes to replace the injured Yevgen Sakhniuk as a centre. On the other side, the Buffaloes also welcomed the return of playmaker Devin Peterson.

In the first quarter, the return of point guard Peterson helped the Buffaloes' system run smoothly. The home team quickly took advantage.

However, with extensive experience in the VBA, Keyes did not take much time to get comfortable in the game. The quick adaptation of this foreign player along with the support of Đặng Thái Hưng inside the paint area helped the Catfish equalise the score at 20-20.

In the second quarter, the Buffaloes played better thanks to the brilliance of the trio Hassan Thomas, Ruot Monyyong and Peterson. In response, Keyes' efforts at both ends of the court helped the Catfish keep their opponents in sight with a score of 38-37.

In the third quarter, returning after the break, the two teams increased the tempo to find an advantage. The home team attacked from the outside to the inside, while the Catfish only looked for opportunities from three-point shots and counterattacks.

For most of the quarter, the two teams were tied or took a lead of less than five points, but thanks to the three consecutive three-pointers from Đinh Tiến Công and Peterson, the home team temporarily took the lead at 63-58.

In the decisive quarter, the sharpshooting of Tâm Đinh and the energy of Keyes helped the Catfish keep the game under control. However, in the seventh minute, when the score was 77-73 in favour of the Buffaloes, Peterson continuously scored to help the home team break away. With less than one minute left on the clock, the home team establish a ten-point lead at 84-74.

The Catfish could not find a way to turn the game back with the remaining time, and the away team had to accept defeat, 88-77.

Hassan Thomas, the main scorer of the Buffaloes, was the Player of the Game with 30 points and 17 rebounds.

"This victory will be a stepping stone to create momentum for us in the upcoming semi-finals. Above all, our goal is none other than the championship," Thomas said.

After this result, the Buffaloes, with 13 wins and six losses, are assured of taking second place and entering the semi-finals.

As for the Catfish, with ten wins and nine losses, coach Lê Trần Minh Nghĩa and his team must win the last game against the Buffaloes on Thursday to avoid meeting the defending champion Saigon Heat in the semi final. VNS