VBA Round 4: #1 HCMC W. is defeated by Hanoi B.

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked HCMC W. (4-2) in Hochiminh on Saturday night. Hosts were rolled over by sixth ranked Hanoi B. (2-3) 98-67. Hanoi B. forced 21 HCMC W. turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 70.6 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and naturalized Swedish guard Stefan Nguyen (190-92) who added 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Wayne Martin (201-93, college: Tennessee St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hanoi B. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Can Tho CF. HCMC W. at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Saigon H.. Hanoi B. is looking forward to face league's second-placed Saigon Heat on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. HCMC W. will play against Thang Long W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Can Tho. Third ranked Can Tho CF (2-3) saved a 1-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Saigon Heat (4-2) 84-83 on Thursday evening. The winners were led by American power forward DeAngelo Hamilton (203-90, college: WSU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and Tam Dinh-Thanh supported him with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds by American Nix Tavarion (201-92, college: Midwestern St.) did not help to save the game for Saigon Heat. Saigon Heat's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Can Tho CF went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Hanoi B. Saigon Heat at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with HCMC W.. Can Tho CF will play against bottom-ranked Danang D. (#6) on the road in the next round. Saigon Heat will play against Hanoi B. (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in between Thang Long W. and Can Tho CF. Fifth ranked Thang Long W. (2-2) got a very close home victory over one of their biggest challengers Can Tho CF (2-3). Thang Long W. managed to escape with a 2-point win 83-81 in the fight for the third place. Jaywuan Hill fired a double-double by scoring 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Thang Long W.'s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Tam Dinh-Thanh produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Thang Long W. moved-up to third place. Defending champion Can Tho CF dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Hanoi B.. Thang Long W. will meet at home league's leader HCMC W. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Can Tho CF will play against Danang D. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very significant was Saigon Heat's (#2, 4-2) victory against top-ranked HCMC W. (4-2) 71-67. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a very good performance for Khoa Tran-Dang who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Saigon Heat's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Saigon Heat used an opportunity after HCMC W. lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated HCMC W. Saigon Heat's next round opponent will be Hanoi B. (#5) at home. HCMC W. will play against Thang Long W. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Can Tho CF - Saigon H. 84-83

Important game to mention about took place in Can Tho. Third ranked Can Tho CF (2-3) saved a 1-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Saigon Heat (4-2) 84-83 on Thursday evening. The winners were led by American power forward DeAngelo Hamilton (203-90, college: WSU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and swingman Tam Dinh-Thanh (192-95) supported him with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds by American Nix Tavarion (201-92, college: Midwestern St.) did not help to save the game for Saigon Heat. His fellow American import guard Richard Nguyen (, college: Pierce JC) added 15 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Four Saigon Heat players scored in double figures. Saigon Heat's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Can Tho CF went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Hanoi B. Saigon Heat at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with HCMC W.. Can Tho CF will play against bottom-ranked Danang D. (#6) on the road in the next round. Saigon Heat will play against Hanoi B. (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Can Tho CF: D.Hamilton 24+10reb+3ast, T.Dinh Thanh 22+9reb+6ast, N.Tu 22+6reb, H.Nguyen Phu 9+5reb+3ast, N.Hung 3+2reb+1ast, T.Tang Minh 3+2reb+1ast
Saigon H.: N.Tavarion 25+13reb+2ast, R.Nguyen 15+5reb+3ast, B.Kim 14+5reb+1ast, V.Nguyen Huynh 10+7reb, K.Tran Dang 7+3reb+4ast, T.Minh 4+2reb+3ast

HCMC W. - Hanoi B. 67-98

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked HCMC W. (4-2) in Hochiminh on Saturday night. Hosts were rolled over by sixth ranked Hanoi B. (2-3) 98-67. Hanoi B. forced 21 HCMC W. turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 70.6 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and naturalized Swedish guard Stefan Nguyen (190-92) who added 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Hanoi B. players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Wayne Martin (201-93, college: Tennessee St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and Vinh Nguyen-Quang scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hanoi B. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Can Tho CF. HCMC W. at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Saigon H.. Hanoi B. is looking forward to face league's second-placed Saigon Heat on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. HCMC W. will play against Thang Long W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: M.Bell 22+10reb+5ast, N.Tu Le 20+4reb, S.Nguyen 20+7reb+2ast, H.Nguyen 15+2reb+3ast, C.Dinh Tien 8+5reb+2ast, N.Do Xuan 4+2reb+1ast
HCMC W.: W.Martin 24+10reb+1ast, N.Vinh 14+7reb+3ast, H.Le Tran Dang 6+1reb, T.Pham 6+10reb+1ast, H.Tu 5, M.Soy 5+2reb+1ast

Thang Long W. - Can Tho CF 83-81

A very close game took place in between Thang Long W. and Can Tho CF. Fifth ranked Thang Long W. (2-2) got a very close home victory over one of their biggest challengers Can Tho CF (2-3). Thang Long W. managed to escape with a 2-point win 83-81 in the fight for the third place. Thang Long W. forced 25 Can Tho CF turnovers. American power forward Jaywuan Hill (203-89, college: SW Baptist, agency: AgainHello) fired a double-double by scoring 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized American Justin Young (190, college: Cal Poly Pomona) chipped in 9 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals. Thang Long W.'s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Swingman Tam Dinh-Thanh (192-95) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds and American power forward DeAngelo Hamilton (203-90, college: WSU) added 14 points and 20 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Can Tho CF players scored in double figures. Thang Long W. moved-up to third place. Defending champion Can Tho CF dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Hanoi B.. Thang Long W. will meet at home league's leader HCMC W. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Can Tho CF will play against Danang D. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Thang Long W.: H.Dang Thai 12+3reb+1ast, J.Hill 11+14reb+4ast, B.Cong Trung 10+5reb+2ast, J.Young 9+7reb+5ast, D.Nguyen 9+3reb+1ast, L.Hong Gia 7+3reb+3ast
Can Tho CF: T.Dinh Thanh 29+10reb+1ast, T.Le Hieu 18+6reb+1ast, H.Nguyen Phu 16+8reb+3ast, D.Hamilton 14+20reb+2ast, N.Tu 3+6reb+2ast, T.Tang Minh 1+1reb

Saigon H. - HCMC W. 71-67

Very significant was Saigon Heat's (#2, 4-2) victory against top-ranked HCMC W. (4-2) 71-67. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Saigon Heat forced 21 HCMC W. turnovers and outrebounded them 41-28 including 31 on the defensive glass. It was a very good performance for guard Khoa Tran-Dang (170) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. American Nix Tavarion (201-92, college: Midwestern St.) contributed with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Saigon Heat's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Wayne Martin (201-93, college: Tennessee St.) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds and Vinh Nguyen-Quang added 12 points and 4 assists in the effort for HCMC W.Saigon Heat used an opportunity after HCMC W. lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated HCMC W. Saigon Heat's next round opponent will be Hanoi B. (#5) at home. HCMC W. will play against Thang Long W. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saigon H.: K.Tran Dang 19+8reb+4ast, B.Kim 19+3reb, N.Tavarion 14+8reb+2ast, R.Nguyen 8+5reb+4ast, T.Waale 4+8reb, V.Nguyen Huynh 3+2reb
HCMC W.: W.Martin 24+15reb+3ast, N.Vinh 12+2reb+4ast, H.Le Tran Dang 7+2reb+1ast, M.Soy 7+3reb+1ast, Q.Nguyen Ky 6, N.Thai 6+1reb+1ast