Zinser "fly high" to get the last playoff ticket for the City Wings. — Photo courtesy of VBA

HCM CITY — The penultimate meeting between the Cantho Catfish and the Ho Chi Minh City Wings carried huge significance, with both sides still in contention for a playoff berth. The HCM City-based side needed just one win to advance, while the visitor had to win both of their remaining games.

Both teams were without two key starters. The City Wings were missing Lê Quang and Tsenguun Munkh-Ochir, while the Cantho Catfish were without Huỳnh Thanh Tâm and Đậu Trung Kiên. Tsenguun Munkh-Ochir was sidelined through injury, while the other three players were absent after being called up to the national team.

To fill the gaps, the Wings coach Lê Trần Minh Nghĩa handed starting spots to Nguyễn Tuấn Anh and Trần Quang Duy. On the other side, Phùng Quốc Hưng and Dương Đức Trí were named in Cantho's starting line-up.

The Wings made a strong start in the opening quarter, with their key players taking turns to score. Dư Minh A was particularly effective as the hosts moved ahead early. Cantho coach Phan Thanh Cảnh called a timeout to regroup, and his side responded through their bench players to keep the deficit to just one point at 20-21.

The home team continued to hold the upper hand in the second quarter, with Dakota Zinser emerging as their main offensive threat. The Catfish tightened their defence and looked to respond through long-range shooting and quick transitions. Despite their efforts, the visitors remained behind 36-42 at halftime.

Zinser stepped up further after the break, helping the Wings extend their advantage into double figures. His drives from the right flank, combined with his outside shooting, repeatedly troubled the Cantho's defence.

Coach Cảnh's side tried to fight back by tightening their defence and relying on shots from beyond the arc, but their attempts lacked efficiency. The Wings entered the final quarter with a 68-58 lead.

The hosts maintained control throughout the final period, with contributions coming from across the line-up. Nguyễn Tuấn Anh and Zinser continued to make a difference as the Wings gradually pulled away.

The visitors struggled to match the hosts' intensity and at one stage trailed by 26 points. The Wings eventually completed a convincing 101-77 victory to book their place in the playoffs.

Zinser was named Player of the Game after producing a standout performance of 41 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. In the decisive contest, the Wings controlled proceedings for most of the game, with Zinser leading the charge. Nguyễn Tuấn Anh added 17 points, while Dư Minh An contributed 16.

The victory confirmed the Wings as the fourth and final playoff team. The four teams advancing to the playoffs are the Hanoi Buffaloes in first place, the Saigon Heat in second, the Nha Trang Dolphins in third and the City Wings in fourth.  

With this result the Buffaloes will meet the Wings at the semi-final while the Heat will meet the Dolphins. 

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