Viet Nam played Thailand in their first match at the high stakes Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship on 13 May.

Vietanm will take part in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship on May 13 (Photo: SEABA)

The tournament, with 7 participants, opened on 12 May at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, the Philippines.

Viet Nam is for the first time sending an all-pro national team to this competition, and that alone is a historic step in the right direction.

The SEABA Championship will end on 18 May.  The champion will earn SEABA’s lone ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 and will represent the sub-zone in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers.

Hosts Philippines defeated Thailand to win 2016’s title in Bangkok.

(Source: VNA)