Following their impressive win against the Ho Chi Minh City Wings in the final group match, the Saigon Heat, who have won three consecutive VBA championships in 2020, 2022, and 2023, have secured the top spot in the 2023 VBA group stage.
Despite facing early challenges, such as injuries to key players Tim Waale and Vo Kim Ban, which limited their contributions, the Saigon Heat emerged victorious.
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| The Saigon Heat emerged victorious against the Thang Long Warriors in the 2023 VBA group stage. Photo: VBA |
Expressing his joy, Saigon Heat coach Matt Van Pelt spoke positively about the team’s achievement in securing first place in the group stage and becoming the number-one seed in the 2023 VBA semifinals.
He mentioned that it took a significant effort from the team to overcome the challenge of playing with only one foreign player.
Now that they have secured the top position, the Saigon Heat are set to face the fourth-place team, the Thang Long Warriors, in the semifinals.
At the same time, the second-place Hanoi Buffaloes will go up against the third-place Nha Trang Dolphins.
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| Saigon Heat coach Matt Van Pelt (L). Photo: VBA |
In the semifinal round, the four teams will play a maximum of three matches, with the two winning teams advancing to the finals.
The upcoming match between the Saigon Heat and the Thang Long Warriors is highly anticipated by fans, as it marks a rematch of the 2020 VBA final, where the Heat successfully defended their championship with a 3-1 victory over the Hanoi-based team.
Despite their favorable history in recent seasons, including the 2023 VBA group stage, the Saigon Heat remain cautious and have reservations about their opponents.
Coach Matt Van Pelt emphasized the interesting nature of the battle, acknowledging that the Thang Long Warriors are formidable opponents.
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| The Nha Trang Dolphins and Hanoi Buffaloes in action during the 2023 VBA group stage. Photo: VBA |
He highlighted that the team is committed to thoroughly reviewing videos of the Warriors’ matches to prepare a strategic plan for the upcoming clash.
The other semifinal matchup between the Hanoi Buffaloes and the Nha Trang Dolphins is also anticipated to be captivating.
In the 2022 VBA semifinals, the Buffaloes secured a 2-0 victory over the Dolphins.
As they face each other again, the Nha Trang team is determined to settle the debt.
With their strong performance and confident mindset, they won two out of three matches against the Hanoi Buffaloes in the 2023 VBA group stage.

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