VBA Round 1: Saigon Heat keeps a leadership position

The Regular Season in VBA just started. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Hanoi B. - Can Tho CF 73-76

A very close game took place in Hanoi between Can Tho CF and Hanoi B.. Can Tho CF (1-2) got a very close victory on the road over Hanoi B. (1-2). Can Tho CF managed to escape with a 3-point win 76-73 in the fight for the fourth place. American forward Michael Vigilance (203-94, college: Clark Atlanta) nailed a double-double by scoring 29 points, 25 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winning side and swingman Tam Dinh-Thanh (192-95) accounted for 16 points and 9 rebounds. Vigilance is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international point guard Ngoc Tu-Le (179-90) came up with 23 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and naturalized Swedish guard Stefan Nguyen (190-92) added 22 points and 5 assists respectively for Hanoi B. in the defeat. Can Tho CF will meet at home HCMC W. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hanoi B. will play against Thang Long W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Can Tho CF: M.Vigilance 29+25reb+2ast, H.Nguyen Phu 18+2reb+2ast, T.Dinh Thanh 16+9reb+1ast, T.Le Hieu 9+5reb+3ast, N.Tu 4+4reb+1ast, T.Tang Minh 0+1reb
Hanoi B.: N.Tu Le 23+9reb, S.Nguyen 22+4reb+5ast, J.McKay 9+13reb+3ast, H.Nguyen 6+5reb+2ast, C.Dinh Tien 6+9reb+2ast, N.Do Xuan 5+1reb+1ast

Saigon H. - Thang Long W. 88-54

Saigon Heat smashed Thang Long W. at home 88-54. Saigon Heat dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Thang Long W.'s 36. Saigon Heat forced 28 Thang Long W. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American Nix Tavarion (201-92, college: Midwestern St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. Guard Khoa Tran Dang (170) contributed with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals for the winners. Saigon Heat's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American power forward Jaywuan Hill (203-89, college: SW Baptist) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 18 rebounds and Dat Nguyen-Thanh (179) added 12 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Thang Long W.Thang Long W. will play next round against Hanoi B. trying to get back on the winning streak. Saigon Heat will try to continue on its current victory against Danang D. at home.
Top scorers:
Saigon H.: N.Tavarion 28+12reb+6ast, K.Tran Dang 12+5reb+6ast, V.Nguyen Huynh 8+3reb+1ast, T.Waale 8+2reb, A.Du Minh 8+3reb+2ast, H.Vinh Quang 7+2reb+3ast
Thang Long W.: J.Hill 20+18reb+1ast, D.Nguyen Thanh 12+8reb, D.Nguyen 8+5reb+5ast, Q.Nguyen Xuan 4+3reb+1ast, D.Quang 4, H.Hoang The 4+5reb+2ast

Danang D. - Hanoi B. 72-75

Danang D. (0-1) recorded a loss at the home court. Hosts were edged by Hanoi B. (1-2) 75-72. Hanoi B. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Danang D.'s 32. American power forward Jameel McKay (206-92, college: Iowa St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 19 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winners and forward Cong Dinh-Tien (182-96) chipped in 21 points. At the losing side American forward Anthony January (203-93, college: CS San Bernar.) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds and naturalized American point guard Horace Nguyen (178, college: Bristol) scored 9 points and 6 assists. Danang D.'s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hanoi B. will play against Thang Long W. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Danang D. will play against HCMC W. to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: C.Dinh Tien 21+3reb+1ast, J.McKay 18+19reb+1ast, H.Nguyen 13+3reb, N.Tu Le 7+9reb, N.Do Xuan 4+1reb, N.Hai 4+4reb+2ast
Danang D.: A.January 33+20reb, D.Huy Dai 15+1reb, H.Nguyen 9+1reb+6ast, H.Nguyen Van 4+9reb+2ast, A.Ly 3+2reb+2ast, H.Thanh Tam 3+3reb+1ast

HCMC W. - Saigon H. 84-76

Very important is a road loss of Saigon Heat (2-0) against HCMC W. (1-0) on Thursday night. Visiting Saigon Heat was defeated by HCMC W. in a tough game in Hochiminh 76-84. HCMC W. forced 23 Saigon Heat turnovers. American forward Wayne Martin (201-93, college: Tennessee St.) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Vinh Nguyen Quang chipped in 25 points and 5 rebounds. Guard Khoa Tran-Dang (170) produced 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American Nix Tavarion (201-92, college: Midwestern St.) added 23 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. HCMC W.'s next round opponent will be Danang D. (#6) on the road. Saigon Heat will play against Danang D. (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
HCMC W.: N.Quang Vinh 25+5reb+3ast, W.Martin 23+18reb+4ast, M.Soy 18+3reb+2ast, T.Pham 7+4reb, C.Dac Luan 4+5reb+1ast, N.Minh Chung 3+2reb+1ast
Saigon H.: N.Tavarion 23+7reb, K.Tran Dang 16+9reb+5ast, T.Waale 9+3reb, V.Nguyen Huynh 8+4reb, A.Du Minh 7+3reb+2ast, R.Nguyen 6+4reb+1ast