The Vanta Black Dragons secured a convincing 80–68 victory over the Shenzhen Makeboluo Reserves in an intense The Asian Tournament matchup on June 23, 2026. The home side used a strong second-half surge to break open what had been a tightly contested game, improving their record and sending a clear message to the rest of the competition.

Match Overview

Playing in front of a lively home crowd, the Vanta Black Dragons started slowly, trailing after the opening quarter. The Shenzhen Makeboluo Reserves, known for their disciplined defensive sets, forced the Dragons into difficult shots early on. However, the Dragons’ depth and athleticism began to show as the game progressed. By halftime, the score was knotted at 38–38, setting the stage for a pivotal third quarter.

The Dragons came out of the break with renewed intensity, pressing the ball and forcing turnovers. A 14–2 run in the third period gave them a double-digit lead they would never relinquish. The Reserves fought back behind their backcourt duo but could not overcome the Dragons’ efficient half-court offense and rebounding dominance.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter rally: After trailing by seven points early, the Dragons closed the half on a 12–3 run, capped by a step-back three-pointer from guard Marcus Tan.
• Third-quarter surge: Vanta opened the second half with a 10–0 burst, forcing a Shenzhen timeout. The Dragons’ zone defense stifled the Reserves’ pick-and-roll game.
• Late-game composure: When the Reserves cut the lead to six with four minutes remaining, the Dragons responded with back-to-back baskets in the paint from center Jason Huang, restoring order.

Standout Players

Marcus Tan led all scorers with 22 points, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot in the half-court was a constant problem for the Shenzhen defense. Jason Huang added a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the Dragons on both ends. For the Reserves, guard Li Wei poured in 18 points and 5 assists, but he received little help from his supporting cast.

Table and Season Impact

The victory improves the Vanta Black Dragons to 5–2 in The Asian Tournament standings, keeping them in the top half of the group as they eye a playoff berth. The Shenzhen Makeboluo Reserves drop to 3–4, finding themselves in a tight mid-table battle. This result also extends the Dragons’ home winning streak to four games, highlighting their comfort on their own floor.