Cantho Catfish vs Saigon Heat in the first playoffs of the VBA League on August 21. — Photo VBA |
Basketball
HÀ NỘI — Cantho Catfish beat Saigon Heat 90-70 in the first playoffs of the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA) League on August 21.
The game was held at the Cần Thơ Gymnasium in the southern province of Cần Thơ.
Tâm Đinh of the Catfish scored 11 points in the first quarter, while Tavarion Nix of the Heat scored 10. Finishing the first period, the Catfish were in the lead 25-24.
In the next quarter, key player De Angelo Hamilton of the Catfish was handed a one-minute penalty for a technical foul. However, the Heat didn’t take full advantage and the catfish maintained their lead at 39-41.
In the third period, Hamilton made his fifth individual error and was forced to leave the game. After that, the Heat fought back strongly to narrow the gap to 56-58. However, Tâm Đinh and Sang Đinh stepped up in the closing minutes to help the Catfish win 62-57.
Without Hamilton, young talent Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh performed well in the last quarter. With his assists, the Catfish scored 28 points to win 90-70 in the end.
With 36 points, four rebounds and three assists, Tâm Đinh won the MVP award of the game.
The Catfish will next face the Heat at the CIS Arena on August 25. — VNS