Hochiminh City Wings Survive Scare, Edge Can Tho Catfish 81-80 in Vietnam VBA Thriller

In a pulsating Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) encounter on July 2, 2026, the Hochiminh City Wings snatched a dramatic 81-80 road victory over the Can Tho Catfish at the Can Tho Sports Arena. The match was a seesaw battle from start to finish, with 14 lead changes and neither team leading by more than seven points at any stage. Wings guard Jeremiah Smith sank a contested step-back jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining to seal the win and send the home crowd into stunned silence.

The Catfish, playing their third home game of the season, showed remarkable resilience after trailing 41-36 at halftime. They erased the deficit in the third quarter behind a 12-2 run led by import forward Tyler Watson, who finished with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds. However, costly turnovers in the closing minutes proved their undoing.

Key Moments That Decided the Game

• First Quarter: Both teams traded baskets in an up-tempo start. Can Tho's Nguyen Van Huy hit two early three-pointers, but Hochiminh City answered through point guard Tran Dinh Phong's crafty drives. Score: 21-20 Wings after one.
• Second Quarter: The Wings extended their lead with a 9-2 run, capitalising on Can Tho's foul trouble. Wings led 41-36 at the break.
• Third Quarter: Tyler Watson dominated the paint, scoring 10 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in the period. Can Tho outscored the Wings 25-18 to take a 61-59 lead into the fourth.
• Fourth Quarter: A nail-biting back-and-forth. The Catfish led 78-74 with 90 seconds left, but a critical offensive rebound and put-back by Wings' big man Le Viet Cuong tied the game at 80-80. After a Can Tho turnover, Smith's game-winner capped a 5-0 run in the final minute.

Tactical Story: Three-Point Shooting Gap

Hochiminh City's victory was built on a hot shooting night from beyond the arc. The Wings connected on 11-of-23 three-point attempts (47.8%), compared to Can Tho's 5-of-19 (26.3%). This 18-point disparity from deep was the single biggest factor in the outcome. The Wings also out-rebounded the Catfish 39-34, limiting second-chance opportunities for the home side. Can Tho struggled with shot selection in the final two minutes, rushing their offense and settling for contested long-range attempts rather than feeding Watson in the post.

Standout Players

• Jeremiah Smith (Hochiminh City Wings): 24 points, 6 assists, and the game-winning shot. The American guard shot 8-of-15 from the field and 4-of-6 from three.
• Tyler Watson (Can Tho Catfish): A dominant double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds. His presence inside was a constant problem for the Wings' defense.
• Tran Dinh Phong (Hochiminh City Wings): The Vietnamese international contributed 15 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals, orchestrating the offense with poise.

Impact on VBA Standings

The Wings improve to 5-2, moving into sole possession of second place in the VBA table, just one game behind leaders Saigon Heat. The Catfish drop to 3-4, falling to fifth place. With the VBA regular season entering its crucial middle phase, every game carries weight for playoff positioning. Can Tho will look to bounce back when they visit the Nha Trang Dolphins on July 6, while Hochiminh City returns home to face the Hanoi Buffaloes on July 4.

Attendance: 4,200 (sold out) – a season high for the Can Tho Sports Arena.