Hanoi Buffalo Wings saw off Saigon Heat 90-82 in a VBA fixture on Thursday that kept the leaders at the summit. The hosts maintained their one-game advantage over the visitors despite playing two more matches this season. It was a tight affair that required composure in the closing stages rather than any dominant display.
The result leaves Hanoi top of the table on 13 wins from 14 outings with only a single defeat to their name. Saigon remain second having lost three of their twelve games, a record that still puts them firmly in the hunt for the title. The two-point gap between them is narrow enough to keep the race alive.
Hanoi have been in imperious form of late, winning their last four matches by an average margin of 25 points. They beat Cantho Catfish twice, saw off Danang Dragons on two occasions, and dispatched Nha Trang Dolphins before that. The confidence from those victories was evident when the game tightened.
Saigon have had a more inconsistent run, particularly against Ho Chi Minh Wings where they have won and lost three times apiece. Their 74-66 victory on August 23 was their only win in five meetings with the same opponent. They came in needing a response after that loss, and delivered one without being spectacular.
What matters now is whether Hanoi can convert their lead into something tangible before the business end of the season. Saigon will not want to let the gap widen further, especially with the hosts having such momentum behind them. The standings tell one story, but the next few games will write another.
