A Cantho Catfish dunk in the match against Thang Long Warriors on Tuesday night. — Photo courtesy of VBA

HÀ NỘI — The Cantho Catfish defeated the Thang Long Warriors 87-82 in the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA) on Tuesday in game two of their playoff semi-final series.

The game was held at Tây Hồ Sporting Event Hall in Hà Nội.

After defeating the reigning champion Catfish in Cần Thơ City over the weekend in game one, the Warriors were determined to secure the series sweep and avoid the decisive game three away from home.

Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, the Catfish took the first quarter 19-17.

The Warriors played more effectively in the second period, opening up a 47-40 lead at the half.

It was more of the same in the third as the visitors stretched their lead to 71-63 and appeared on the cusp of booking their ticket to the finals.

However, Cantho's players dud deep and showed their championship mettle, with two clutch three-pointers from Tam Đinh helping them on their way to the 87-82 win and a tied series.

The two teams will lock horns again in Cần Thơ City on August 31, with the winner moving on to the finals. — VNS