Before VBA 2022 started, Thang Long Warriors was one of the top championship contenders. In the 7th season of the Vietnamese professional basketball tournament, the VBA 2020 runner-up expressed the ambition to end the reign of Saigon Heat (who won the championship for 2 consecutive seasons) when completing a series of deals to bring in stars. internal soldiers such as: Le Hieu Thanh, Vo Huy Hoan, Nguyen Hoang Tuan … Along with the frame of long-term players who have worn the national team shirt like Justin Young (captain of the Vietnamese basketball team), Dang Thai Hung , Pham The Hien…, Predrag Lukic’s teachers and students are considered a worthy counterweight, which can hinder the goal of winning the 3rd consecutive championship of Saigon Heat.
Thang Long Warriors made an impression when bringing in Le Hieu Thanh, a former captain of Cantho Catfish Club for many years, but it was not as successful as expected.
However, entering the group stage, after only 4 matches, Thang Long Warriors showed a serious lack of stability when changing foreign soldiers twice. Accordingly, in turn, the strikers Arsenije Vuckovic, Raymond Miller did not meet the professional requirements. In many consecutive matches, coach Predrag Lukic only used a foreign player, Clayton Guillozet, while the remaining VBA teams played with 2 foreign players.
Foreign soldier Garrius Holloman shone in the final matches of the qualifiers but could not help Thang Long Warriors escape the forgettable 2022 VBA season
The last replaced pitcher, foreign player Garrius Holloman, also took a few matches to get used to the team’s playstyle. This player excelled and helped Thang Long Warriors rise in the sprint. Unfortunately, the capital team caught up late, plus the injuries of important players such as The Hien, Thai Hung and even Hieu Thanh, so they could not compete for tickets to the VBA 2022 semi-finals.
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Dang Thai Hung (left) is the bright spot of Thang Long Warriors and is recognized with the title of reserve athlete of the year
VBA 2022 is the first time since its inception in 2017, Thang Long Warriors cannot participate in the semi-finals, as well as stay out of the championship race. However, in the final match in the group stage, this team still thanked the fans with a spectacular performance, fully expressing its identity with a streamlined and effective play. With his dedication, the player who has been with Thang Long Warriors for many years, Dang Thai Hung, also received nominations in the categories of internal soldier of the year, sports spirit, and favorite athlete. … Finally, the pioneer born in 1993 won the reserve athlete of the year award.
Coach Predrag Lukic bid farewell to Thang Long Warriors after empty-handed season
Not long after the end of the unsatisfactory season, coach Predrag Lukic also said goodbye to Thang Long Warriors after 4 years in charge. The Serbian captain’s highest achievement is to bring Thang Long Warriors to the final of VBA 2020 and take the runner-up position. No longer under the direction of coach Predrag Lukic, Thang Long Warriors next season promises a comprehensive innovation in terms of key personnel and gameplay. The low note at VBA 2022 is considered an expensive experience for the “red half of the capital” to improve personnel preparation and continue to be one of the most worth watching teams at VBA.
