VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi Buffaloes defeated reigning champions the Thang Long Warriors in Playoffs 2 Game 2 of the Viet Nam Basketball League’s (VBA) 2018 season, held at the Ha Noi University of Science and Technology Gymnasium on Sunday.

Hanoi Buffaloes (blue) defeated reigning champions the Thang Long Warriors (white) in Playoffs 2 Game 2 of the Viet Nam Basketball League’s (VBA) 2018 season. -- Photo Courtesy of organisers

Hosts Ha Noi Buffaloes entered the Game as the favoured team. The trio Le Ngoc Tu, Stefan Nguyen and Mike Bell ended the first round at 21-16.

With efforts from To Quang Trung and Jaywuan Hill, the Thang Long Warriors came close to flipping the scoreboard. However, through bad shots and failed attacks the Warriors gave away their opportunities to score.

In the third round, good 3-point shots by Quang Trung and Truong Hoang Trung evened the score for the Warriors to 59-59.

Both competed intensely for ball, and by the fourth quarter the Buffaloes led at 75-74.

But a failed jump shot by Hoang Trung contributed to the Warriors’ loss and helped the Buffaloes win a ticket to the finals.

Jaywuan Hill contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds; Justin Young notched 20 points and 9 rebounds and Quang Trung earned 14 points for the Warriors.

For the Buffaloes, MVP Stefan Nguyen claimed 23 points and 5 rebounds; Mike Bell gave 23 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks; Tu earned 10 points and Vincent Nguyen scored 13 points.

The Hanoi Buffaloes will face the Cantho Catfish, who beat Saigon Heat in a previous Playoffs game, on September 6.

Source: VNS