Brandis Raley-Ross celebrateed after hit a three-pointers at crunch time to help the Saigon Heat clinch the playoff. — Photo courtesy of VBA

Xuân Đăng 

HCM CITY — The five times VBA champions Saigon Heat secured the league's second playoff berth after edging the Ho Chi Minh City Wings 83-80 in a thrilling derby at Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium on Thursday ( August 6).

Veteran guard Brandis Raley-Ross delivered a clutch performance down the stretch, scoring the decisive points to complete the comeback and send the Heat into the playoff.

The visitors entered the game needing one more victory to clinch a playoff spot, while the Wings were fighting to stay in the race for the top four. The Wings started Dakota Zinser in place of Dmytro Tykhonov, while the Heat inserted Brandis Raley-Ross into the starting lineup ahead of Nyang Wek.

The Wings made the brighter start as Mongolian international Tsenguun Munkh-Ochir led the early scoring. At the other end, Nyang Wek anchored the Heat's defence with two blocks, including one against Tykhonov, before the visitors' experienced core combined to close the opening quarter ahead 19-17.

The Heat looked in complete control in the second period. Reserve Nguyễn Phúc Vinh knocked down timely three-pointers, while Raley-Ross found his scoring rhythm to help stretch the advantage to as many as 17 points.

However, the Wings refused to fold. Zinser inspired the home side's response as they pushed the pace in transition and converted three long-range shots to cut the deficit to just 45-42 by half-time.

Momentum swung again after the interval.

Veteran Dư Minh An sparked the Wings' resurgence, giving the home side a 54-50 lead early in the third quarter. The remainder of the period became an intense back-and-forth contest, with neither side able to establish more than a two-possession cushion.

Boosted by Tykhonov's improved offensive production and a fast-break finish from Nguyễn Tuấn Anh in the closing seconds, the Wings carried a narrow 65-63 advantage into the final quarter.

The home team appeared to take command as Munkh-Ochir and his teammates built a double-digit lead midway through the fourth. But their momentum was undermined by mounting foul trouble, with both foreign players picking up their fourth personal fouls.

The Heat immediately exploited the situation by attacking the paint relentlessly.

Trailing 80-77 in the closing moments, Raley-Ross produced the game's defining sequence. The veteran guard buried two consecutive three-pointers before adding a crucial defensive block, single-handedly turning the game around as the Heat completed an 83-80 comeback victory.

Raley-Ross earned Player of the Game honours after finishing with 21 points, three assists and three steals.

"I'm happy with this close win. I made the important plays when they mattered, and that's why I'm here. More importantly, our goal remains to reach the playoffs and compete for the championship," he said after the game.

The Heat prevailed through experience and composure in the closing stages despite facing determined resistance from their city rivals throughout the contest.

The Wings, coached by Lê Trần Minh Nghĩa, once again showed resilience despite having a significantly thinner rotation. Munkh-Ochir led all scorers for the home side with 25 points and kept the playoff hopefuls within striking distance until the final seconds.

The victory improved the Heat's record to 11 wins and four losses, officially securing a playoff berth while maintaining second place in the VBA standings. The Wings dropped to 6-9 but remained fifth as they continue their push for a postseason place. 

All VBA matches will be broadcast live on FPT Play, the league’s exclusive production and broadcasting partner under a five-season agreement running from 2026 to 2030. — VNS