Phung Quoc Hung throws a "clutch", the Air Force is crowned the U23 Basketball National Championship 2023
As the two teams that won a series of extremely tense semi-finals, Hanoi and the Air Force created the dream final for Capital Basketball.
Previously, Hanoi U23 excellently turned U23 Ho Chi Minh City into a former king, while U23 Air Force Defense surpassed the candidate for the XSKT Hau Giang championship.
Even insiders were surprised when both representatives of Hanoi appeared in the gold medal match. Here, the two teams have devoted an eye-catching match.
The first half of the match was very even. The Air Force Air Defense started better and had a 13-point advantage at the beginning of the second half. But soon after, Hanoi U23 responded to shorten the score.
The fighting spirit of the Hanoi players is commendable, especially after the expulsion of the pillar Tran Phi Hoang Long (due to 2 technical errors). Despite the lack of people, coach Truong Hoang Trung still rose and led back to the PKKQ 9 points in the 3rd half.
The advantage of morale and the score seemed to help Hanoi "finish the finish line", however, they encountered a strong rise of the Air Force Air Defense and the army team began to shorten the gap in a few minutes. At the end of the 3rd half and in the decisive round, they accelerated.
Coach Le Hai Hung's teachers and students both changed their defensive tactics and attacked more effectively. At this time, Hanoi U23 showed signs of being out of breath and missed many scoring opportunities.
At the crucial moment of the match, a star spoke up, it was Phung Quoc Hung. The thrower wearing the number 0 shirt exploded with 3 successful difficult throws in a row, including a 3-point ball that engulfed the opponent in the last minute.
Completing the 19-6 run to end the match, the Air Force defeated Hanoi with a score of 75-67, officially becoming the champion of the U23 Basketball National Championship in 2023.
Five different players of U23 Air Force Defense scored over 10 points, led by striker Nguyen Thanh Cong (16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists). Phung Quoc Hung's "clutch" series ended the day with 13 points, reaching 3-6 3PT and 5-11 FG.
On the side of Hanoi U23, Nguyen Huy Hoang and Phan Trong Tai, To Ngoc Khanh and Dinh Toan Quoc led the attack, all scored over 10 points. Particularly, the Referee continued to shine in defense with 7 steals, Nationwide completed a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
One metric that made the difference today was shot success rate. If the Air Force has 45% FG and 33.3% 3PT, Hanoi's index set is 24.4% FG and 11.4% 3PT.
The whole Hanoi team threw a total of 35 3-pointers, successful 4 times. Despite forcing the opponent to have 28 TO, coach Truong Hoang Trung still could not win.
*****
The exciting final match between Hanoi and the Air Force Air Force closed the 5x5 competition of the 2023 National U23 Basketball Tournament.
The tournament will take a break for 1 day before returning to the 3x3 basketball content, which will be held at Flagpole Park square, right at the back yard of Vung Tau city.
