The Can Tho Catfish delivered a thrilling 100-95 victory over the Hochiminh City Wings on July 4, 2026, in a Vietnam VBA showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Held at the Can Tho Stadium, the Catfish improved their home record with a hard-fought win that showcased their offensive firepower and late-game composure. The Wings, despite a spirited effort, couldn't overcome a determined Catfish squad that executed down the stretch.

First Half: A Battle of Momentum

The opening quarter set the tone for a high-scoring affair. Can Tho came out aggressive, using a fast-paced transition game to build an early lead. Their backcourt duo of Nguyen Thanh Dat and import guard Marcus Lee combined for 18 points in the first half, creating mismatches with sharp shooting and crafty drives. Hochiminh City responded with veteran forward Tran Minh Quan leading a patient half-court offense. By the break, the Catfish held a narrow 48-44 edge, but the Wings had shown they could match baskets.

Second Half: Tension and Triumph

After halftime, the Wings tightened their defense and briefly seized control behind a 10-2 run capped by a three-pointer from guard Pham Hoang Anh. With 5:30 left in the third quarter, Hochiminh City led 62-58, prompting a Can Tho timeout. The Catfish coaching staff adjusted instantly, switching to a zone defense that disrupted the Wings’ rhythm. Meanwhile, Can Tho’s big man, center Duong Minh Tuan, dominated the paint, grabbing crucial offensive rebounds and finishing through contact. He finished the night with 22 points and 14 rebounds, a double-double that proved decisive.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth thriller. With 2 minutes remaining, the Wings tied the game at 90-90 on a driving layup by import guard Jalen Brown. But Can Tho immediately answered with a clutch three from the wing by Nguyen Thanh Dat, pushing the lead to 93-90. After a defensive stop, the Catfish converted a fast-break dunk to make it 95-90 with 1:10 left. HCMC never gave up, cutting the deficit to three, but Can Tho’s free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win.

Standout Performances

• Can Tho Catfish: Nguyen Thanh Dat recorded a game-high 28 points (5-of-9 from three-point range) along with 6 assists. Center Duong Minh Tuan added 22 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the interior. Import guard Marcus Lee contributed 18 points and 7 assists.
• Hochiminh City Wings: Forward Tran Minh Quan led his team with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Import guard Jalen Brown tallied 20 points and 5 assists, while Pham Hoang Anh chipped in 16 points off the bench.

Turning Point: The Zone Defense

The game shifted when the Catfish deployed a 2-3 zone early in the third quarter. After falling behind by four, the zone forced three consecutive turnovers, allowing Can Tho to reclaim the lead and momentum. The Wings struggled to find clean looks from deep, shooting just 32% from beyond the arc in the second half after a hot start.

Standings Impact

With this win, the Can Tho Catfish moved to 8-4 on the season, solidifying their place among the top four in the VBA standings. The Hochiminh City Wings dropped to 6-6, but remain in playoff contention. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on August 12, a rematch that now carries added significance.