Kentrell Barkley after winning Game 1: "Saigon Heat can still explode more"
Opening VBA Playoffs 2023 is the first match of the semi-final series between Saigon Heat and Thang Long Warriors. The owner of the Supporter's Cup title (Regular Season champion) marched to Tay Ho Stadium and encountered many difficulties in the first half of the match.
However, with the lead of Kentrell Barkley and the hot hands of Vo Kim Ban, Saigon Heat completed the comeback on the away field. They won 89-79 and took the lead with a series score of 1-0.
Sharing after the victory, Kentrell Barkley said that this is not an easy match even though the Warriors are a team that is underrated compared to Saigon Heat:
“There is no weak team that can make it to the Playoffs. The four teams present here are all strong and difficult opponents, and so are the Thang Long Warriors.
The first half of the game they played better, but we went into the second half with some adjustments from the coach. This is the key to helping me and my teammates get this victory."
With the home field advantage, Thang Long Warriors created the longest gap of 8 points against Saigon Heat in the first half of the match. However, the turning point of the match came in the third half, where the hot hands of the Barkley - Vo Kim Ban duo put "Mr. 30" in the lead.
“One difference I think about is my belief in myself as well as in my teammates. We didn't shoot very well in the first half, but it didn't stop the team from throwing in the third and fourth quarters," Barkley said after the game, scoring 35 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
In the third and fourth quarters alone, Saigon Heat had 8 successful 3-point shots compared to only 4 in the first half of the match, made by the trio of Vo Kim Ban, Kentrell Barkley and Du Minh An.
The effectiveness of these long shots also changed when the Heat only had 4-15 3PT (26%) in the first and second halves, then reached 8-20 3PT (40%) in the second half of the match.
“We practiced very hard on these throws so we always had great confidence in them. Halfway through the game, the ball entered the basket more, responding to the faith and efforts of the whole team in practice.
It's also important to mention the defense as we were able to stop some of the opposition's shots at key moments. These two factors combined helped Heat win Game 1,” added the owner of the first Player of The Game title at the VBA Playoffs 2023.
With the victory at Game 1 right away, Saigon Heat will have a double advantage when entering Game 2 on September 11 here.
Barkley and his teammates both have a 1-0 lead and can play Game 2 at the CIS home field. However, Saigon Heat still maintains focus with the goal of ending the semi-final series early.
“This result will definitely give us a big advantage with the next match being played at home. However, the whole team still maintains high focus," Barkley said.
“We still have a lot of things we can do to help the team play even more closely and effectively. Things don't stop here and the team can still play better."
