VBA Round 4: Heat keeps a leadership position

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in VBA. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Heat as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Heat smashed 7th ranked Catfish in Saigon 99-63. Heat forced 22 Catfish turnovers and outrebounded them 62-39 including a 46-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Catfish's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Joshua Keyes (201-95, college: Muskingum, agency: PBAplayers Agency) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The other American import point guard Michael Truong (180-99, college: Carlow) contributed with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Heat's coach Matthew Van Pelt felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Thanh Le Hieu (180-91) replied with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists for Catfish. Heat (6-1) have an impressive six-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Catfish lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with six games lost. Catfish will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Heat will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Catfish in Can Tho.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Ho Chi Minh: National Team (#6) and Wings (#4). National Team (3-4) smashed visiting Wings (3-3) by 31 points 82-51. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American point guard Richard Nguyen (183-99, college: Pierce JC) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 steals and Khoa Tran Dang who added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side Hoan Vo Huy (183-86) responded with 9 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. National Team moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hanoi B. Wings at the other side keep the fourth position with three games lost. National Team will play against higher ranked Dragons (#3) in Danang in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Wings will play on the road against the league's second-placed Warriors in Hanoi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Dolphins is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their seventh consecutive match to top-ranked Warriors (5-0) 88-77 on Friday evening. The winners were led by Tim Guers who scored that evening 32 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 40 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds by Christopher Galbreath did not help to save the game for Dolphins. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Undefeated Warriors have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 5-0 record behind leader Saigon H. Loser Dolphins still closes the standings with seven games lost. Warriors will meet at home Wings (#4) in the next round. Dolphins will play against Buffaloes (#5) and hope to get finally their first victory.

In the last game of round 4 Danang D. beat Hanoi B. on the road 97-91.

Thang Long W. - Nhatrang D. 88-77

Bottom-ranked Dolphins is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their seventh consecutive match to top-ranked Warriors (5-0) 88-77 on Friday evening. Warriors dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Dolphins' 38. They outrebounded Dolphins 49-34 including a 37-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by American guard Tim Guers (190-96, college: St.Anselm) who scored that evening 32 points and 9 rebounds and naturalized American Jordan Young (193-93, college: CPP) supported him with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Even a double-double of 40 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds by American forward Christopher Galbreath (201-95, college: SHSU) did not help to save the game for Dolphins. Thailand guard Apisittinan Dasom (188-92) added 16 points, 6 assists and 5 steals for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Warriors have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 5-0 record behind leader Saigon H. Loser Dolphins still closes the standings with seven games lost. Warriors will meet at home Wings (#4) in the next round. Dolphins will play against Buffaloes (#5) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nhatrang D.: C.Galbreath 40+19reb+2ast, A.Dasom 16+4reb+6ast, D.Nguyen Thanh 7+3reb+1ast, H.Vinh Quang 6+3reb+2ast, P.Cao Tien 4, T.Ngoc Khanh 3+2reb+1ast
Thang Long W.: T.Guers 32+9reb+3ast, J.Young 16+13reb+3ast, B.Coleman 13+8reb+1ast, H.Dang Thai 7+7reb+4ast, H.Nguyen Van 6+5reb, L.Hong Gia 4+3reb+2ast

Hanoi B. - Danang D. 91-97

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Dragons (5-1) beat 5th ranked Buffaloes (3-4) in Hanoi 97-91 on Friday. The winners were led by Jamaican-American Akeem Scott (185-83, college: High Point) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds and American forward Chris Carter (205-92, college: LIU Brooklyn) supported him with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Scott is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even a double-double of 14 points, 24 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks by American power forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) did not help to save the game for Buffaloes. His fellow American import point guard Anthony Moody (182-89, college: Mary) added 23 points and 5 assists for lost side. Buffaloes' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragons maintains third position with 5-1 record behind leader Saigon H. Buffaloes lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with National TBC. Dragons will meet National Team (#6) in the next round. Buffaloes will play against Dolphins in Nha Trang and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hanoi B.: A.Moody 23+2reb+5ast, M.Bell 14+24reb+4ast, B.Thai Ha 11+1reb+1ast, D.Nguyen Tien 9+2reb+2ast, C.Dinh Tien 9+1reb+1ast, V.Viet Hoang 8+1reb
Danang D.: A.Scott 33+14reb+3ast, M.Soy 23+3reb+3ast, C.Carter 22+12reb+1ast, T.Han Minh 9+4reb+6ast, T.Quang Trung 6+2reb+3ast, C.Vo Thai 4+3reb

Saigon H. - Can Tho CF 99-63

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Heat as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Heat smashed 7th ranked Catfish in Saigon 99-63. Heat forced 22 Catfish turnovers and outrebounded them 62-39 including a 46-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Catfish's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Joshua Keyes (201-95, college: Muskingum, agency: PBAplayers Agency) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The other American import point guard Michael Truong (180-99, college: Carlow) contributed with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Keyes is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Heat players scored in double figures. Heat's coach Matthew Van Pelt felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Thanh Le Hieu (180-91) replied with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists and swingman Kien Dau Trung (190-0) added 9 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Catfish. Heat (6-1) have an impressive six-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Catfish lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with six games lost. Catfish will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Heat will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Catfish in Can Tho.
Top scorers:
Can Tho CF: T.Le Hieu 15+7reb+9ast, T.Bui Quoc 10+1ast, N.Van Vinh 9+3reb, D.Trung Kien 9+12reb+1ast, T.Dinh Huy 7+5reb, T.Tang Minh 5+5reb
Saigon H.: J.Keyes 23+18reb+13ast, M.Truong 21+8reb+5ast, H.Tu 14+3reb+2ast, V.The Cang 12+5reb, N.Quang Binh 11+6reb+1ast, T.Waale 5+7reb

National TBC - Ho Chi Minh CW 82-51

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Ho Chi Minh: National Team (#6) and Wings (#4). National Team (3-4) smashed visiting Wings (3-3) by 31 points 82-51. National Team dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Wings' 26. National Team forced 32 Wings turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Wings' players. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American point guard Richard Nguyen (183-99, college: Pierce JC) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 steals and point guard Khoa Tran Dang (183-97) who added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side Hoan Vo Huy (183-86) responded with 9 points and 7 rebounds and power forward Nam Truong Thai (190-98) scored 10 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. National Team moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hanoi B. Wings at the other side keep the fourth position with three games lost. National Team will play against higher ranked Dragons (#3) in Danang in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Wings will play on the road against the league's second-placed Warriors in Hanoi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ho Chi Minh CW: T.Thai Nam 10+4reb+1ast, V.Huy Hoan 9+7reb+1ast, B.Anh Khoa 9+1reb+2ast, C.Anh Mladenovik 7+6reb, T.Hai Dang 5+3reb+1ast, N.Thanh Tung 3+4reb+1ast
National TBC: R.Nguyen 20+6reb+4ast, T.Dang Khoa 15+5reb+4ast, N.Anh Kiet 10+3reb, S.Minh Tam 9+3reb+1ast, P.Duc Kien 8+2reb+2ast, V.Duc Thai 6+10reb+3ast



Tags : JOSHUA KEYES, SAIGON HEAT, VIETNAMESE BASKETBALL