HÀ NỘI — Saigon Heat has defeated Hanoi Buffaloes after overcoming a gap of 20 points, scoring 96-82 to reach the final of Game 3 of the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA) League 2018.

The first quarter of the match on Tuesday brought in an excitement of three- point party for the fans. Hanoi Buffaloes played impressively and scored many points over Saigon Heat.

After only 10 minutes into the game, both the teams had successfully completed nine throws from three points.

Hanoi Buffaloes had come six times to put the ball into the basket from three points, thus, it was not difficult for them to end the first round with a 37-17 core lead against their rivals.

In the second quarter, Saigon Heat, coached by David Singleton, became more alert and after three minutes, narrowed the gap to 26-37.

At this time, Coach Todd Purves’s team, the Hanoi Buffaloes, gathered for a consultation and with tactical adjustments of the American strategist, Hanoi Buffaloes blocked the opponent’s score.

However, the situation changed dramatically in the third quarter after successful throws by Saigon Heat’s Võ Huy Hoàn, Dư Minh An and Triệu Hán Minh put Hanoi Buffaloes in shaky waters.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, although Hanoi Buffaloes tried hard, they could not break through the strong defence of the opponents.

Hanoi Buffaloes suffered an 82-96 defeat, making it their fourth loss to Saigon Heat.

Danang Dragons victorious

In another match of the VBA 2018 Game 4, the Danang Dragons on Tuesday impressively confronted and finally reached a glorious triumph over the Hochiminh City Wings.

Despite an absence of its leader, Horace Nguyễn, the team from the central city of Đà Nẵng tried their hardest to face Hochiminh City Wings by Jetstar from HCM City, and ended with a 77-75 winning score.

In the beginning of the game, with the advantage of playing in Hồ Xuân Hương Indoor Stadium, the host Hochiminh City Wings by Jetstar proved to dominate and set the lead ahead of the Danang Dragons.

However, the “Hàn River dragons" showed that they were not so easily bullied.

The excellent throws of the Danang Dragons’ so-called "twin tower"-Chris Dierker and Zach Allmon with 17 points, helped the team shorten the gap with their opponents. Within 10 minutes of playing, Hochiminh City Wings by Jetstar ran ahead with a 20-19 point score.

Entering the second period, the game on the pitch changed.

Danang Dragons, the Donte Hill’s team, decided to speed up and after only two minutes, the “Hàn River dragons" scored nine points to lead ahead the host with score points of 28-20.

Hochiminh City Wings by Jetstar quickly settled down so as not to let their opponents widen the gap. Finishing the second period, the score was 39-33 to the Danang Dragons.

In the following minutes, Coach Brian Rowsom’s team tried to play with all their heart, but couldn’t overpower the Danang Dragons. Thus the third period of the game ended up in Danang Dragons favour.

In the last 10 minutes, despite a brave upraising, the Hochiminh City Wings by Jetstar could not even score.

In the next match, the Danang Dragons are predicted to face hardships while confronting the Thang Long Warriors on their home tuff on June 23. The Hochiminh City Wings by Jetstar will also continue to play on their home tuff against the Hanoi Buffaloes on June 24. — VNS