In this rematch, both Saigon Heat and Hanoi Buffaloes maintained the starting lineup compared to the previous encounter. The two teams entered the game at high speed and created a stalemate from the first minutes.
Hanoi Buffaloes started better when they organized effective attacks and tight defenses. The ability to protect the area under the basket helped the away team significantly limit Saigon Heat's points in the first half of the first half. However, the brilliance of foreign player Brandis Raley-Ross helped Ho Chi Minh City representatives maintain their chasing posture before closing the quarter with an advantage in favor of the away team.
In the second half, the two coaches continuously rotated the squad. Jalon Andrews played prominently on Saigon Heat's side with effective close-range attacks, while Ariyon Williams brought a breakthrough for Hanoi Buffaloes. At the end of the half, the Capital team still maintained a safe gap with a score of 47-38.
After the break, Saigon Heat increased the pressure and created a strong comeback. Under the leadership of Nguyen Anh Kiet and key players, the home team equalized the score 57-57 in the middle of the 3rd quarter. However, AJ Bramah spoke up at the right time when continuously scoring points, especially from free throws, helping Hanoi Buffaloes re-establish the 69-62 advantage before entering the decisive quarter.
Drama was pushed high in the final quarter when Saigon Heat continuously narrowed the gap. The duo Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh and Nguyen Phuc Vinh had many effective breakthroughs, creating conditions for Brandis Raley-Ross to put the home team ahead 84-83 in the final minutes.
However, the bravery of the defending champion continued to be shown at the right time. AJ Bramah scored consecutive important points, including a curling shot, a successful long throw and two accurate free kicks, helping Hanoi Buffaloes regain the lead and close the match with a 92-86 victory.
With 32 points, 17 rebounds and many important contributions to the game, AJ Bramah was voted the Player of the Match (POTG).
This victory helps Hanoi Buffaloes increase their record to 8 consecutive wins, continuing to firmly hold the top spot in the VBA 2026 rankings. Meanwhile, Saigon Heat ranks second with a record of 5 wins and 3 losses.
Full VBA 2026 season on FPT Play.
