VBA Round 21: Warriors beat Buffaloes in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Hanoi: Warriors (#3) and Buffaloes (#2). Buffaloes were defeated at home 90-95 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Buffaloes. Warriors looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Buffaloes helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 18 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Sameen Swint (193-1995, college: GBC) chipped in 31 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Warriors' coach used entire bench in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Nigerian forward Udun Osakue (198-1992, college: SF State, agency: Interperformances) who recorded 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Warriors (9-5) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place behind leader Saigon Heat. Buffaloes at the other side keep the second position with three games lost. Warriors will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Buffaloes will play at home against Catfish and are hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 101-70 loss to fifth ranked Wings (5-8) in Ho Chi Minh. It was a good game for American guard Jeremy Smith (190-1991, college: Nicholls St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists. Yevgen Sakhniuk contributed with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) answered with 13 points for Dragons. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Wings maintains fifth place with 5-8 record. Dragons lost their thirteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 99-80 loss to sixth ranked Catfish (4-9) in Danang on Wednesday evening. Michael Soy stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was JR Holder with 29 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Catfish maintains sixth place with 4-9 record. Dragons lost their thirteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 13 games lost. Catfish will meet league's second-placed Buffaloes in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dragons will have a break next round.

City Wings - Dragons 101-70

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 101-70 loss to fifth ranked Wings (5-8) in Ho Chi Minh. Wings outrebounded Dragons 50-28 including a 37-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a good game for American guard Jeremy Smith (190-1991, college: Nicholls St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists. Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-1995, college: Jefferson) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Four Wings players scored in double figures. American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) answered with 13 points and guard Kiet Nguyen Anh (180-2002) added 6 points and 6 assists in the effort for Dragons. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Wings maintains fifth place with 5-8 record. Dragons lost their thirteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Dragons: J.Holder 13+4reb+1ast, D.Kaillum 9+1reb+1ast, M.Phuoc Thinh 8+3reb+2ast, T.Van Dai 6+4reb, N.Anh Kiet 6+4reb+6ast, W.Tran 6+2reb+1ast
City Wings: J.Smith 28+18reb+7ast, N.Quang Vinh 18+2reb+4ast, Y.Sakhniuk 17+10reb+6ast, T.Tran 15+6reb+1ast, H.Le Tran 11+1ast, B.Anh Khoa 5+6reb+5ast

Buffaloes - Warriors 90-95

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Hanoi: Warriors (#3) and Buffaloes (#2). Buffaloes were defeated at home 90-95 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Buffaloes. Warriors looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Buffaloes helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 18 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Sameen Swint (193-1995, college: GBC) chipped in 31 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Warriors' coach used entire bench in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Nigerian forward Udun Osakue (198-1992, college: SF State, agency: Interperformances) who recorded 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American Anthony January (204-1993, college: CSUSB, agency: Interperformances) added 19 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Four Buffaloes players scored in double figures. Warriors (9-5) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place behind leader Saigon Heat. Buffaloes at the other side keep the second position with three games lost. Warriors will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Buffaloes will play at home against Catfish and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Buffaloes: U.Osakue 21+9reb+4ast, A.January 19+10reb+2ast, D.Thanh Tam 18+7reb+4ast, C.Dinh Tien 12+3reb+2ast, N.Huy Hoang 7+1ast, D.Nguyen Tien 7+1reb+4ast
Warriors: S.Swint 31+6reb+9ast, J.Fields 28+18reb+2ast, T.Le Hieu 12+4reb+6ast, T.Hung Dang 9+4reb+3ast, Y.Justin 8+6reb, P.Nhat Quang 4

Dragons - Catfish 80-99

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 99-80 loss to sixth ranked Catfish (4-9) in Danang on Wednesday evening. Filipino point guard Michael Soy (182-1997, college: Algonquin) stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and American guard Brachon Griffin (185-1992, college: ECSU) chipped in 28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals. The best for the losing side was American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) with 29 points and 5 rebounds and guard Kiet Nguyen Anh (180-2002) scored 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Catfish maintains sixth place with 4-9 record. Dragons lost their thirteenth game in a row. They still close the standings with 13 games lost. Catfish will meet league's second-placed Buffaloes in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dragons will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dragons: J.Holder 29+5reb+1ast, W.Tran 13+5reb+2ast, M.Phuoc Thinh 12+5reb, N.Anh Kiet 9+7reb+4ast, M.Trieu Han 5+4reb+2ast, D.Duc Tri 5+7reb+3ast
Catfish: M.Soy 34+6reb+4ast, B.Griffin 28+6reb+4ast, J.Keyes 12+10reb+3ast, N.Hoang Tu 8+6reb, L.Khac Dang Khoa 6+7reb, T.Le Ngoc 5+3reb



Tags : JOHN FIELDS, THANG LONG WARRIORS, VIETNAMESE BASKETBALL