VBA Round 3: Heat hand first defeat to Dragons

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Dragons (4-1) in Danang on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by Heat (5-1) 103-93. Heat looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard DaQuan Bracey (180-97, college: Louisiana Tech, agency: Green Sports Management) who had a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!) and 13 assists. His fellow American import forward Joshua Keyes (201-95, college: Muskingum, agency: PBAplayers Agency) chipped in 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Jamaican-American Akeem Scott (185-83, college: High Point) who recorded a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 10 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Heat are looking forward to face Buffaloes (#5) in Hanoi in the next round. Dragons will play at home against Catfish and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Hanoi: Warriors (#2) and Buffaloes (#5). Warriors (4-0) won against visiting Buffaloes (3-3) 74-67. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for guard Tim Guers (190-96, college: St.Anselm) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists. Bryan Coleman contributed with 21 points for the winners. Power forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 23 rebounds and 4 blocks for Buffaloes. Buffaloes' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Warriors will play against Dolphins (#8) in Nha Trang in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Buffaloes will play on the road against Heat in Saigon and hope to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game was played in Ho Chi Minh. Heat faced Wings. Guests from Saigon (5-1) defeated host Wings (3-2) 91-85. It was a great evening for DaQuan Bracey who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Heat's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Vinh Nguyen Quang with 32 points and 5 assists (went 14 for 14 at the free throw line !!!). Heat will meet at home Buffaloes (#5) in the next round. Wings will play against Catfish and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 3 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Hanoi B. were defeated by Ho Chi Minh CW in a road game 94-89. Winless Can Tho CF was beaten by National TBC at home 67-72. Danang D. won against Nhatrang D. on the opponent's court 89-81.

Ho Chi Minh CW - Hanoi B. 94-89

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Buffaloes' (3-3) road loss to Wings (3-2) 89-94 on Monday. The game was also dominated by American players. It was a great evening for forward Makinde London (208-96, college: Chattanooga) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Jeremy Smith (190-91, college: Nicholls St.) helped adding 27 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was power forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Anthony Moody (182-89, college: Mary) scored 26 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Buffaloes' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Wings will meet at home Catfish (#7) in the next round. Buffaloes will play against Heat in Saigon and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: A.Moody 26+4reb+8ast, M.Bell 24+18reb+5ast, S.Dinh Thanh 19+2reb+4ast, C.Dinh Tien 9+2reb+1ast, N.Van Thang 6, V.Viet Hoang 3+2reb+1ast
Ho Chi Minh CW: M.London 31+14reb+4ast, J.Smith 27+12reb+3ast, N.Quang Vinh 9+4reb+8ast, T.Tran Van 9+2reb+2ast, H.Hai Nguyen 8+1reb, C.Anh Mladenovik 4+3reb+2ast

Thang Long W. - Hanoi B. 74-67

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Hanoi: Warriors (#2) and Buffaloes (#5). Warriors (4-0) won against visiting Buffaloes (3-3) 74-67. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for guard Tim Guers (190-96, college: St.Anselm) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists. Forward Bryan Coleman (198-92, college: WSU) contributed with 21 points for the winners. Power forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 23 rebounds and 4 blocks and point guard Anthony Moody (182-89, college: Mary) added 17 points and 5 assists in the effort for Buffaloes. Four Buffaloes players scored in double figures. Buffaloes' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Warriors will play against Dolphins (#8) in Nha Trang in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Buffaloes will play on the road against Heat in Saigon and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: M.Bell 20+23reb+3ast, A.Moody 17+1reb+5ast, C.Dinh Tien 14+1reb+3ast, S.Dinh Thanh 12+6reb+2ast, D.Nguyen Tien 3+2ast, T.Ngoc Tan 1+2reb+1ast
Thang Long W.: T.Guers 24+16reb+7ast, B.Coleman 21+3reb+3ast, H.Nguyen Van 11+5reb, J.Young 9+7reb+1ast, H.Dang Thai 6+1reb+1ast, T.Truong Hoang 3+1reb+1ast

Can Tho CF - National TBC 67-72

The game between closely ranked teams ended with National Team's (2-4) road victory over Catfish (0-5) 72-67 on Thursday. National Team forced 23 Catfish turnovers. It was a great evening for Vinh Nguyen Huynh (202-98) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Naturalized American point guard Richard Nguyen (183-99, college: Pierce JC) helped adding 15 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Jared Sam (207-95, college: Southern, agency: DC Sports) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks and guard Thanh Le Hieu (180-91) scored 15 points. Catfish's coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. National Team will meet at home Dolphins (#8) in the next round. Catfish will play against Wings in Ho Chi Minh and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Can Tho CF: J.Sam 28+15reb+3ast, T.Le Hieu 15+3reb+3ast, W.Tran 11+8reb, D.Trung Kien 4+3reb+1ast, T.Bui Quoc 3, N.Hoang Tu 3+2reb
National TBC: V.Nguyen Huynh Phu 20+11reb, R.Nguyen 15+3reb+4ast, A.Du Minh 8+3reb+2ast, N.Anh Kiet 8+9reb+2ast, V.Duc Thai 7+4reb+1ast, T.Le Ngoc 5

Ho Chi Minh CW - Saigon H. 85-91

An exciting game was played in Ho Chi Minh. Heat faced Wings. Guests from Saigon (5-1) defeated host Wings (3-2) 91-85. They outrebounded Wings 54-43 including a 26-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American point guard DaQuan Bracey (180-97, college: Louisiana Tech, agency: Green Sports Management) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import forward Joshua Keyes (201-95, college: Muskingum, agency: PBAplayers Agency) helped adding 17 points and 15 rebounds. Keyes is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Heat players scored in double figures. Heat's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was guard Vinh Nguyen Quang (180-95) with 32 points and 5 assists (went 14 for 14 at the free throw line !!!) and American guard Jeremy Smith (190-91, college: Nicholls St.) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Heat will meet at home Buffaloes (#5) in the next round. Wings will play against Catfish and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ho Chi Minh CW: N.Quang Vinh 32+4reb+5ast, J.Smith 22+13reb+4ast, C.Anh Mladenovik 10+10reb+2ast, T.Tran Van 7+2reb+3ast, T.Thai Nam 7+7reb, V.Huy Hoan 3+3reb+2ast
Saigon H.: D.Bracey 30+10reb+7ast, H.Tu 18, J.Keyes 17+15reb+1ast, V.Kim Ban 12+5reb, T.Waale 8+18reb+4ast, M.Truong 6+1reb

Danang D. - Saigon H. 93-103

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Dragons (4-1) in Danang on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by Heat (5-1) 103-93. Heat looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard DaQuan Bracey (180-97, college: Louisiana Tech, agency: Green Sports Management) who had a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!) and 13 assists. His fellow American import forward Joshua Keyes (201-95, college: Muskingum, agency: PBAplayers Agency) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Keyes is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was Jamaican-American Akeem Scott (185-83, college: High Point) who recorded a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 10 assists and American forward Chris Carter (205-92, college: LIU Brooklyn) added 18 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Four Dragons players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Heat are looking forward to face Buffaloes (#5) in Hanoi in the next round. Dragons will play at home against Catfish and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Danang D.: A.Scott 35+9reb+10ast, C.Carter 18+10reb+1ast, M.Soy 17+7reb+2ast, T.Han Minh 13+7reb+2ast, T.Quang Trung 6+2reb+2ast, C.Vo Thai 2
Saigon H.: D.Bracey 41+4reb+13ast, S.Antony 26+1reb, J.Keyes 12+12reb+5ast, M.Truong 9+3reb+1ast, T.Waale 7+6reb, V.Kim Ban 6+1reb

Nhatrang D. - Danang D. 81-89

Very expected game in Nha Trang where Dolphins (0-5) were defeated by Dragons (4-1) 89-81 on Wednesday. It was a great evening for Jamaican-American Akeem Scott (185-83, college: High Point) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. Filipino guard Michael Soy (182-97, college: Algonquin) helped adding 20 points. Worth to mention Scott played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. The best for the losing side was American forward Christopher Galbreath (201-95, college: SHSU) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 17 rebounds and Dat Nguyen Thanh (174-89) scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. Four Dolphins players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Dragons will meet at home Catfish (#7) in the next round. Dolphins will play against Warriors in Hanoi and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nhatrang D.: C.Galbreath 25+17reb+3ast, D.Nguyen Thanh 18+9reb+2ast, A.Dasom 18+9reb+1ast, H.Vinh Quang 11+2reb+2ast, T.Huynh 4+1reb+2ast, P.Thanh Tung 3+6reb+2ast
Danang D.: A.Scott 35+10reb+9ast, M.Soy 20+3reb+2ast, C.Carter 9+11reb, T.Quang Trung 8+1ast, T.Han Minh 5+2reb+1ast, C.Vo Thai 4+7reb



Tags : DAQUAN BRACEY, SAIGON HEAT, VIETNAMESE BASKETBALL