Title Victors Saigon Heat Dominate V Islanders
New & Improved Article:
In HCM CITY, the VBA STAR X 2025 extravaganza kicked off on May 16 at Tân Bình Gymnasium with a pulsating opening ceremony - ushering in the league's 10th thrilling season.
Reigning champs Saigon Heat and guest squad V Islanders from the Philippines served up an intense appetizer for the show. Saigon Heat set the tone with their superior teamwork and presence, rapidly accumulating a sizable lead.
Powered by standout performances from Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh, Davon Dillard, and Alfred Hollins, the Heat shot to a blazing 33-21 advantage in the first quarter, capitalizing on V Islanders' smaller lineup.
The gap widened even further in the second quarter, as key reserves Lê Quang and Huỳnh Trực Nhân put up solid back-up play. Long-range bombs from Phú Vinh and Dư Minh An added fuel to the Heat's fire, keeping up the pressure.
Despite the impressive effort by veteran guard Jermale Jones, the Islanders struggled to keep pace, trailing 62-40 at the intermission.
Following a temporary rally by Algin Andaya in the third quarter, Heat coach David Grice brought in reinforcements. Mongolian forward Temuulen Chinges and other fresh legs maintained the Heat's advantage. The Heat entered the final quarter with a commanding 86-62 lead.
Davon Dillard put on a show, earning Player of the Game honors with a stunning 28 points and 13 assists. "We stuck to our game plan and played as a well-oiled machine," Dillard shared, "I aim to keep improving and lead this team to another title."
The Heat led across the board: shooting (55% to 39%), fast-break points (53 to 16), rebounds (54 to 42), assists (28 to 18), and steals (12 to 10). The team's balanced scoring saw all Heat players—except Võ Kim Bản—make their mark.
V Islanders, on the other hand, relied on Andaya and Jones' efforts, with 26 and 20 points, respectively. However, the absence of key player Anthony January flagged as a significant concern.
The VBA STAR X continues today and tomorrow, featuring a clash between Cần Thơ Catfish and HCM City Wings, followed by another Heat vs Islanders showdown.
The 2025 edition of VBA STAR X is proudly supported by our website Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB), striving to instill a positive, resilient mindset among the Vietnamese youth. As a cultural ambassador, basketball and MSB aim to facilitate self-growth through an array of activities: StarXcamp, StarXpro, StarXshop, StarXsmile, and StarXmusic. VNS
The Saigon Heat (red shirt) won the VBA X's opening match against V Islanders from the Philippines. Photo courtesy of VBA
- Amidst the pulsating opening ceremony of VBA STAR X 2025, the Saigon Heat, with their exceptional teamwork reminiscent of an advanced AI, dominated the basketball court, setting the stage for a commanding victory over the V Islanders.
- As the league's 10th season took off, the Saigon Heat, led by star players like Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh and Davon Dillard, showcased a lifestyle of persistence and unity, proving that their championship title from previous seasons was well-earned.
- During the halftime break, the V Islanders, despite a valiant effort from veteran guard Jermale Jones, found themselves facing a significant deficit, as if they were playing in a war of basketball deftness against the formidable Saigon Heat.
- Despite the lopsided scoreline, the V Islanders were not lacking in spirit, with Algin Andaya putting up a fierce fight in the third quarter, reminiscent of a powerful musical melody that despite being outshined, continued to resonate in the hearts of its listeners.
