VBA Round 8: Hanoi B. is defeated by Thang Long W. in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Hanoi: Thang Long W. (#2) and Hanoi B. (#3). Hanoi B. was smashed at home by 27 points 52-79 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Thang Long W. dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Hanoi B.'s 24. Thang Long W. forced 22 Hanoi B. turnovers and outrebounded them 53-39 including 38 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Robert Crawford (198-90, college: Cent Arkansas) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds and naturalized American Justin Young (190-93, college: CPP) who added 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 21 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. Thang Long W. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 8-3 record behind leader Saigon H. Hanoi B. at the other side keeps the third place with six games lost. They share the position with Can Tho CF. Thang Long W. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hanoi B.'s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Hanoi to the arena Thang Long W..
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Hanoi B. (5-6) against seventh ranked Danang D. (4-7) on Sunday night. Host Hanoi B. was defeated by Danang D. in a tough game in Hanoi 72-79. The winners were led by American forward Tyrell Williams (206-94, college: Albany St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 25 rebounds and 4 blocks and Richard Nguyen supported him with 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Even a double-double of 24 points and 28 rebounds by American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) did not help to save the game for Hanoi B.. Danang D. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hochiminh CW. Hanoi B. at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. They share it with Can Tho CF. Danang D. will play against higher ranked Can Tho CF (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hanoi B.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Hanoi to the arena Thang Long W..
VBA top team - Saigon Heat (9-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Nhatrang D. (4-8) 88-64. The best player for the winners was Christian Juzang who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Lamontray Harris produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Saigon Heat have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-2 record. Nhatrang D. lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. Saigon Heat will meet at home Hochiminh CW (#5) in the next round. Nhatrang D. will have a break next round.
The game in Nha Trang was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Can Tho CF (5-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Nhatrang D. (4-8). Can Tho CF defeated Nhatrang D. 80-68. Tam Dinh-Thanh orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. Nhatrang D.'s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Can Tho CF moved-up to third place, which they share with Hanoi B. Nhatrang D. lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Can Tho CF's next round opponent will be Danang D. (#6) on the road.

In the last game of round 8 Hochiminh CW lost to Thang Long W. on the opponent's court 62-67.

Thang Long W. - Hochiminh CW 67-62

Rather expected game in Hanoi where 5th ranked Hochiminh CW (4-7) was defeated by second ranked Thang Long W. (8-3) 67-62. American swingman Robert Crawford (198-90, college: Cent Arkansas) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. The former international Hung Dang-Thai (185-93) contributed with 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Thang Long W.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American center Watts Aiekeem (205-94) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Vinh Nguyen-Quang (180-95) added 7 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Hochiminh CW. Thang Long W. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 8-3 record behind leader Saigon H. Hochiminh CW at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Thang Long W.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Hanoi Hanoi B..
Top scorers:
Hochiminh CW: A.Watts 20+11reb+4ast, T.Le Ngoc 10+4reb+3ast, H.Hai Nguyen 9+7reb, Q.Nguyen Ky 7+5reb+2ast, N.Vinh 7+6reb+7ast, V.Hoan 5
Thang Long W.: R.Crawford 22+10reb, H.Dang Thai 17+7reb+1ast, H.Nguyen Van 9+4reb, H.Nguyen Phu 8+1reb, J.Young 5+15reb+3ast, N.Ha 4+3ast

Hanoi B. - Danang D. 72-79

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Hanoi B. (5-6) against seventh ranked Danang D. (4-7) on Sunday night. Host Hanoi B. was defeated by Danang D. in a tough game in Hanoi 72-79. The winners were led by American forward Tyrell Williams (206-94, college: Albany St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 25 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import guard Richard Nguyen (, college: Pierce JC) supported him with 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Even a double-double of 24 points and 28 rebounds by American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) did not help to save the game for Hanoi B.. Swingman Sang Dinh-Thanh (185-94) added 13 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Four Hanoi B. players scored in double figures. Danang D. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hochiminh CW. Hanoi B. at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. They share it with Can Tho CF. Danang D. will play against higher ranked Can Tho CF (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hanoi B.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Hanoi to the arena Thang Long W..
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: M.Bell 24+28reb, S.Dinh Thanh 13+7reb+3ast, C.Dinh Tien 13+5reb+1ast, N.Duong 11+3reb+3ast, T.Doan Xuan 5+1reb, N.Anh 4+3reb+2ast
Danang D.: T.Williams 33+25reb+2ast, R.Nguyen 27+6reb+4ast, H.Nguyen Van 8+9reb+2ast, T.Minh 7+3reb+1ast, N.Tuan 4+4reb+1ast, P.Thang 0

Saigon H. - Nhatrang D. 88-64

VBA top team - Saigon Heat (9-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Nhatrang D. (4-8) 88-64. Saigon Heat dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Nhatrang D.'s 20 and made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Saigon Heat forced 21 Nhatrang D. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Christian Juzang (188-97, college: Harvard) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. chipped in a double-double by scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. American forward Lamontray Harris (201-95, college: Morehead St., agency: One Motive Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists and guard Khoa Tran-Dang (183-97) added 9 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Saigon Heat have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-2 record. Nhatrang D. lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. Saigon Heat will meet at home Hochiminh CW (#5) in the next round. Nhatrang D. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nhatrang D.: V.Thanh 15+2ast, L.Harris 13+20reb+7ast, K.Tran Dang 9+6reb+3ast, T.Bach Cong 8+4reb+2ast, A.Nguyen Tuan 7+3reb+1ast, T.Nguyen Hoang 6+2ast
Saigon H.: C.Juzang 29+10reb+5ast, K.Joshua 25+12reb+5ast, V.Ban 9+2reb+1ast, V.Nguyen Huynh 8+5reb+2ast, L.Quang 7+1reb, A.Du Minh 4+2reb+5ast

Hanoi B. - Thang Long W. 52-79

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Hanoi: Thang Long W. (#2) and Hanoi B. (#3). Hanoi B. was smashed at home by 27 points 52-79 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Thang Long W. dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Hanoi B.'s 24. Thang Long W. forced 22 Hanoi B. turnovers and outrebounded them 53-39 including 38 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Robert Crawford (198-90, college: Cent Arkansas) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds and naturalized American Justin Young (190-93, college: CPP) who added 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Thang Long W. players scored in double figures. American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 21 rebounds and forward Cong Dinh-Tien (182-96) scored 10 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. Thang Long W. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 8-3 record behind leader Saigon H. Hanoi B. at the other side keeps the third place with six games lost. They share the position with Can Tho CF. Thang Long W. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hanoi B.'s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Hanoi to the arena Thang Long W..
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: M.Bell 17+21reb+1ast, C.Dinh Tien 10+7reb+3ast, T.Doan Xuan 8+1reb, S.Dinh Thanh 6+3reb+5ast, N.Duong 3+1reb+2ast, N.Vinh 3+1ast
Thang Long W.: R.Crawford 24+16reb+3ast, J.Young 17+9reb+4ast, H.Nguyen Phu 14+5reb+2ast, D.Nguyen Thanh 12+4reb, H.Dang Thai 6+7reb+2ast, H.Nguyen Van 4+5reb

Nhatrang D. - Can Tho CF 68-80

The game in Nha Trang was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Can Tho CF (5-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Nhatrang D. (4-8). Can Tho CF defeated Nhatrang D. 80-68. They outrebounded Nhatrang D. 54-33 including a 41-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Swingman Tam Dinh-Thanh (192-95) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. American center Leon Hampton (213-95, college: Stillman, agency: SDJ Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Hampton is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Guard Khoa Tran-Dang (183-97) replied with 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 steals and American forward Lamontray Harris (201-95, college: Morehead St., agency: One Motive Sports) added 18 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Nhatrang D.Nhatrang D.'s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Can Tho CF moved-up to third place, which they share with Hanoi B. Nhatrang D. lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Can Tho CF's next round opponent will be Danang D. (#6) on the road.
Top scorers:
Nhatrang D.: K.Tran Dang 35+6reb+5ast, L.Harris 18+13reb, L.Hong Gia 11+1ast, T.Bach Cong 4+1reb, V.Thanh 0+3reb+2ast, P.Tung 0+3reb
Can Tho CF: T.Dinh Thanh 29+11reb+3ast, L.Hampton 20+19reb+1ast, D.Dam Huy 10+9reb+2ast, T.Le Hieu 8+4reb+9ast, T.Bui Quoc 8, C.Nguyen 5+9reb+4ast



Tags : ROBERT CRAWFORD, THANG LONG WARRIORS, VIETNAMESE BASKETBALL