HÀ NỘI — The Hanoi Buffaloes may have lost the championship, but the team still won big at the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) Awards 2026.

The Buffaloes, who recorded a remarkable achievement in the 2026 season with 19 wins and one loss, dominated the night, pocketing seven of the 12 awards. 

Among the winners was AJ Bramah, who made a hat trick of Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year and Dunk of the Year. 

Bramah was pleased with his awards but expressed disappointment that his club couldn't win this season.

The power forward noted that while stats matter in the world of professional basketball, winning mattered more to him; if the numbers led to championships or victories, that’s success. If they didn’t translate into wins, they meant little.

Bramah's teammates also bagged trophies. Lian Ramiro won the Asian Heritage Player of the Year title and AJ Williams grabbed the Basket of the Year honour. The Favourite Player of the Year award went to Đinh Thanh Tâm.

Ramiro has played in Việt Nam for two years. He was impressed by the Buffaloes fans' enthusiasm and found striking similarities between the culture of Việt Nam and the Philippines, his home country. 

He didn't expect there would be so many basketball fans in Việt Nam. He was overwhelmed by the mood in the gymnasium, especially when the Buffaloes played on home ground.

Moreover, Ramiro loves how people gather together during meals in a warm and family-like atmosphere. He expressed a feeling of acceptance, like that of a family member, by the people of Việt Nam.

Buffaloes trainer Matt Van Pelt won Coach of the Year. It is the second time that the American has won the title in three years.

Saigon Heat centre and power forward Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh won the Local Player of the Year category for the fourth time in a row, proving his number one position in the VBA.  

Ho Chi Minh City Wings' strong performance was also honoured with Lê Quang winning Most Improved Player and Nguyễn Hồng Sơn taking home Rookie of the Year. Trần Đăng Khoa won Block of the Year.

The last title, Sixth Man of the Year, was awarded to Lê Khắc Đăng Khoa of the Nha Trang Dolphins. — VNS