Malek Green drives strong to the rim as Catfish sink the champions in a thriller. — Photo courtesy of VBA

Xuân Đăng

HCM CITY — In a match that rekindled last season’s finals, Cantho Catfish delivered a shock to the VBA’s fans by defeating the five-time reigning champions Saigon Heat 98-90 after a gruelling overtime battle at Tân Bình Gymnasium.

This victory not only earned the Catfish a valuable win but also ended a ten-game losing streak against their long-time rivals, with their last win over the Heat dating back to the 2022 regular season.

Entering the match, the Heat had been undefeated in their first three games and placed second on the leaderboard, while the home team were fourth with two wins and two losses. Despite their lower standing, the Catfish showed no signs of intimidation, backed by a revitalised squad featuring the return of veteran Michael Soy.

The Catfish started strongly in the opening quarter, powered by the physicality of Malek Green — currently the league’s top scorer — who helped establish an early 16-11 lead. The Heat, led by new import Davon Dillard, quickly equalised through precise ball movement and sharp cutting plays to end the quarter level at 20-20.

The guest gained momentum in the second quarter, employing a dynamic offence that saw them lead by as much as eight points (37-29). However, the home side responded with a balanced offensive effort from their import trio, led by Dajuan Madden, trimming the deficit to just two points at halftime (41-43).

After the break, the Heat’s coordination began to falter. A series of five turnovers in the third quarter allowed the Catfish to capitalise, with Madden and Albert Opena exploiting defensive gaps and forcing personal fouls from the Heat’s key players. Cantho edged ahead 68-63 going into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was tightly contested, with neither side leading by more than five points. Malek Green continued to dominate, supported by Soy and the import duo. Saigon Heat relied on domestic stars Võ Kim Bản, Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh and Tim Waale to stay in contention. With just over 10 seconds left, both Green and Dillard missed crucial opportunities to seal the game, leading to an 88-88 stalemate at the end of regulation.

In overtime, the Heat crumbled under pressure. Two costly turnovers from Dillard and Huỳnh Trực Nhân handed momentum to the Catfish, who raced to an eight-point lead (96-88). Coach Phan Thanh Cảnh’s men then slowed the tempo and managed the clock efficiently. The Heat attempted a comeback through three-point efforts but misfired on all attempts, conceding 98-90 defeat.

Malek Green was named Player of the Game with a dominant performance of 39 points, 18 rebounds and three steals. “We had a successful third quarter, which laid the foundation for our victory. I’m proud of the team’s unity and determination throughout the game,” Green said post-match.

Statistically, the Catfish outperformed the Heat in several key stats, including steals (15 vs 2), fast-break points (35 vs 11), and turnovers (5 vs 19).

Their aggressive drives into the paint also forced the Heat into 25 personal fouls. Aside from Dư Minh An, all of Saigon Heat’s starters reached four fouls each.

Catfish’s scoring was well-distributed, with Madden contributing 23 points, Opena adding 18, and Soy chipping in 15. Despite the result, both teams retained their standings — Saigon Heat remain second (3-1), and the Catfish stay fourth (3-2). — VNS