Unbeaten Hanoi Buffaloes triumph over Cantho Catfish with thrilling late-game comeback
The Hanoi Buffaloes extended their unbeaten run to 15-0 in the 2025 VBA season with an impressive comeback win against the Cantho Catfish on August 14, 2025. In a closely contested match at Tân Bình Gymnasium, the Buffaloes overcame a strong start by Cantho, who led by 13 points in the first quarter, to secure an 86-77 victory.
The first quarter saw a back-and-forth battle between Fields and Green, with both players scoring from close range to beyond the three-point line. However, it was the Catfish who capitalised on home-court advantage, sinking six of nine three-point attempts to take a 32-19 lead.
In the second quarter, the Buffaloes received a strong push from their bench, with Lian Ramiro, Trần Minh Hiếu, and Jimmy Nguyễn cutting the deficit. Despite being without star player Tâm Đinh, the Buffaloes' depth and disciplined play paid off in the decisive stages, despite being hit early by the Catfish's long-range shooting.
Tô Ngọc Khánh and DaQuan Bracey combined for 17 points in the third quarter, helping the Buffaloes to overturn the score and lead 72-62. The Catfish, without injured point guard Dajuan Madden, relied heavily on individual efforts, with Green and Opeña contributing a combined 57 points.
Michael Soy contributed only in defence and playmaking, but was held scoreless from the field in the third quarter. Bracey was named Player of the Game with 24 points, six assists, and three steals.
The victory holds important implications for the playoff landscape. While the Buffaloes remained undefeated and first in the standings with 15 wins, the Cantho Catfish dropped to third place (10-6), tightening competition among the top teams vying for playoff positioning. The two teams are set for a rematch shortly after, which could further influence the playoff picture.
This unbeaten run signals the Buffaloes as the clear favourites going into the VBA playoffs with momentum and strategic depth on their side. The Buffaloes' next encounter will be this Sunday against the Cantho Catfish in a highly anticipated rematch that could have significant implications for the playoff picture.
The AI algorithm analyzed the exciting match between the Hanoi Buffaloes and the Cantho Catfish, noting that in the third quarter, the Buffaloes' DaQuan Bracey demonstrated his versatility with 24 points, six assists, and three steals, while the Catfish's Opeña tried to keep them competitive with an impressive 29 points. In the upcoming VBA playoffs, the AI predicts that the Buffaloes, with their unbeaten record and strategic depth, will be formidable opponents, especially in their rematch against the Cantho Catfish this Sunday, a potential game that could significantly impact the playoff picture.
