HBC promises high-quality basketball competition

Basketball

Huỳnh Thanh Tâm of 3F Galaxy (No 4) in action during the HBC season 1. 3F Galaxy will defend their title at the second season which will begin on December 16 at the Thanh Trì Gymnasium in Hà Nội. Photos courtesy of the organisers

HÀ NỘI — The second Hà Nội Basketball Championship (HBC) will feature a number of new changes that are expected to bring a more competitive version to the orange-ball community.

The tournament will be held from December 16-31 at the Thanh Trì Gymnasium, featuring 10 male and five female clubs who qualified for the final.

On the men’s side, teams will be divided into two groups playing in round robin format. The two strongest teams of each group will advance to the finals.

In the second season themed The Revolution, the tournament welcomes a new but title favourite team, Thăng Long Warriors, which are a professional team and a member of the Việt NamPro Basketball Association League.

The Warriors will have to fight hard against defending champions 3F Galaxy, who won the first Việt Nam Basketball Championship earlier this year, and experienced sides such as Ba Đình and Hidden Dragons.

On the women’s side, teams will play in round robin with best four qualifying to the semi-finals.

To push the competitiveness of the matches, organisers allow teams to register unlimited number of Vietnamese-origin players and two foreign players.

The organisers increase the total prize money to VNĐ200 million for high-ranking teams and best individuals.

Organisers hold a meeting with teams and the media announcing the second Hà Nội Basketball Championship.

“We played hard in the play-in round and are excited to play in the finals,” said Trần Phi Hoàng Long of the Warriors at the HBC launching ceremony on December 6.

“We are happy to see the development of basketball in Hà Nội and there are many strong teams taking part in this year HBC, lifting the professionalism of the championship. Although it is a semi-pro event, I can see it has well-organised plans and activities just like a pro event.

“We are proud to be part of the second HBC and will try hard for best results. And good luck to the other teams.”

Meanwhile Đặng Nhật Anh of 3F Galaxy said his team came to the HBC to showcase the ability of local players.

“HBC will be a playing ground that 3F Galaxy players will sharpen our skills against powerful rivals. A big ‘thank’ to the organisers as they make up a competition where amateur and pro team can play each other,” he said.

Chử Minh Hạnh, member of the female champions Fudo said it was great to have the chance to defend their title. The team has trained hard to prepare for such a high-quality and cool tournament.

Along with thrilling games, supporters will be entertained with music and dance performances and minigames before matches and during breaks.

The HBC is organised by New Sports and VTVcab under the permission of the Hà Nội’s Culture and Sports Department.

All matches will be aired live on ON Sports channel; App: ON, ON Sports TV; Facebook: ON Sports; and Youtube: ON Bóng rổ. VNS