VBL / VWL Week 5
Hoopbus vs GRG (86-40)
The Hoopbus squad continued their undefeated run with a dominant 86-40 victory over GRG, improving to 5-0 on the season. Even while shorthanded, Hoopbus delivered a complete team performance, overwhelming GRG with a mix of high-octane offense and relentless defense. The game started competitively with both teams tied at 4-4, but Hoopbus broke it open with a 15-3 run and never looked back, putting up a staggering 51 points in the second half.
Christina was unstoppable, earning Player of the Game honors with 28 points on 14-of-17 shooting, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds in a well-rounded performance. Janae aka "Ms.TattedBuckets" followed closely with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 3 assists, while MVP contender Baller Bree added 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 6 assists, and 6 steals. KK Gets Buckets chipped in 10 points, including two three-pointers, and Michelle added 4 points off the bench as Hoopbus moved the ball with precision and locked in defensively.
Despite the final score, GRG came out strong with a three from Via, plus early buckets from Aj and Taneya. Via finished with a team-high 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while Aj and Vee added 9 points each with efficient scoring. Kelly hit a three and tallied 5 points, and Taneya was perfect from the field with 4 points. GRG created quality looks and stayed aggressive in the first half but struggled to keep pace with Hoopbus’s explosive second-half run.
Though the loss drops GRG to 0-5, their opening intensity and offensive flashes showed growth and fight throughout the contest. Hoopbus, meanwhile, remains the team to beat in the VWL, with three stars putting up 20+ points and their system firing on all cylinders—even when short-handed. With their fifth straight win, they’ve solidified themselves as the league’s most dangerous and complete squad.
Timeless vs United Nations (54-49)
In one of the most exciting games of VBL Week 5, Timeless outlasted United Nations in a 54-49 Gamebreaker battle, improving their season record to 2-3. Player of the game Juice Billbrew delivered a standout all-around performance with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, including six made three-pointers. Elvin Rodriguez added 16 points and 4 assists on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting night. Timeless exploded out of the gate with a 19-4 first quarter, sparked by Juice’s early three-point barrage and Elvin Rodriguez’s aggressive drives to the basket.
Timeless set the tone early, locking in defensively and jumping to a 15-0 lead before United Nations found their rhythm. The defense swarmed, forcing tough shots and capitalizing in transition. But what looked like a runaway quickly shifted, as United Nations regrouped behind Drew Koda’s steady play (13 points, 3 rebounds) and key baskets from Jamaican Jay and Rion, helping them claw back into the game by halftime.
The second half belonged to United Nations, who showed incredible resilience. Obi caught fire from deep, finishing with 11 points on 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and helped his team briefly take a 42-38 lead in the fourth quarter. The teams battled back and forth, trading clutch buckets down the stretch. United Nations forced a Gamebreaker finish with timely stops and confident shot-making, completing a comeback that energized their bench and fans.
In the Gamebreaker, Timeless regrouped and leaned once again on their stars. Juice knocked down a dagger three, and Rodriguez powered through contact for key buckets, combining for all 8 of Timeless’ final points. While United Nations ultimately fell to 1-4, their ability to erase a massive early deficit and push the game to the wire showed heart, toughness, and flashes of elite-level execution.
Awful lot of Cough Syrup vs Hidden Empire (58-49)
Cough Syrup earned a much-needed win in Week 5, taking down Hidden Empire 58-49 to improve to 2-3 on the season. The game was headlined by a breakout performance from our Player of The Game, Aj Harris aka “The Chosen One,” who exploded for 31 points on a red-hot 14-of-20 from the field, including three makes from deep. His entrance into the game shifted the momentum, giving Cough Syrup the offensive spark they needed.
Alongside Harris, SHAMAR contributed 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, and London added efficient production with 4 points on a perfect 2-for-2 night. Quan also stepped up in key moments, finishing with 7 points on 3-of-5 shooting and knocking down a timely three late in the game to help seal the win. Cough Syrup’s efficient scoring and poise under pressure were key in holding off Hidden Empire’s second-half push.
Hidden Empire, now 1-4, showed plenty of fight and strong individual performances despite the loss. Mr. Merryweather led the team with 14 points on an excellent 6-of-7 shooting night 3 rebounds and 2 steals, including two three-pointers. Navar Elmore added 12 points (6-of-10 FG) 6 rebounds, while Ricky brought a spark off the bench with 9 points on perfect shooting: 3-for-3 from the field, 2-for-2 from three, and 1-for-1 at the line.
Even as Cough Syrup maintained control, Hidden Empire rallied late and cut the deficit to just four points in the fourth quarter. Ricky’s six straight points helped fuel that push, while Lost knocked down two threes (2-of-3 3PT) and Naishawn chipped in with efficient scoring of his own (67% FG). Despite the outcome, Hidden Empire’s sharp shooting and effort down the stretch give them positive momentum to build on in the weeks ahead.
Truheight vs Crep Protect (70-64)
Truheight continued their impressive run in the VBL with a thrilling 70-64 Gamebreaker win over Crep Protect, improving to 4-1 on the season. The team displayed exceptional balance and efficiency, with five players scoring in double figures and standout performances across the board. Player of the Game Mark Chin led the way with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including four deep three-pointers, setting the tone early with back-to-back threes to open the contest.
Truheight weathered an early push from Crep Protect, who briefly took a 14-11 lead, before regaining control with a dominant second quarter. Brandon Towns added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while also contributing across the board with 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists. Jordy chipped in 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Chance the Hooper dropped 10 points, going a perfect 2-for-2 from long range. Wes Harris also made his mark from deep, hitting three threes to finish with 9 points. Truheight’s consistent perimeter shooting and calm execution in the clutch proved to be the difference as they held off multiple comeback attempts.
Despite the loss, Crep Protect put up a valiant fight and dropped to 2-3 on the season. Solo led all scorers with a game-high 27 points on a red-hot 11-of-14 shooting night, including 9 points in the fourth quarter and 8 more in Gamebreaker time. Devon added 12 points and went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, while Omari Ferguson gave the team a much-needed lift in the second half with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. The trio’s combined scoring nearly brought Crep back from a double-digit deficit.
Crep Protect showed incredible heart down the stretch, clawing their way back into the game in the fourth quarter and again in Gamebreaker play. With Solo hitting tough shots and Omari attacking the rim with confidence, they trimmed the lead to just two points late in the final period. However, Truheight responded with poise, scoring four straight points to close it out. Both teams shot the ball with remarkable efficiency, but it was Truheight’s balanced scoring and timely threes that ultimately sealed the win in one of the most competitive games of the week.
WHN vs LadySweat (33-21)
In a statement win, WHN took down defending champs LadySweat 33-21, improving to 3-2 on the season and spoiling what was meant to be a special day for the reigning back-to-back title holders, who had just received their championship jackets. Even without star guard Amiah Simmons, WHN did not let up and put on a show — led by a dominant performance from Player of the Week Alisha Wilson, who finished with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 3 steals.
The game opened in back-and-forth fashion, with LadySweat jumping ahead 5-2 before WHN responded with a composed run behind baskets from Wilson, Icey, and Lovely Sonnier. After LadySweat tied it at 8-8, WHN closed the quarter strong and entered the second period up 12-8. From there, Wilson took over offensively, while Sonnier chipped in 7 points, 4 steals, and clutch defense. WHN stretched their lead to as much as 18 points before LadySweat hit back-to-back threes to cut into the margin. But Sonnier sealed the win with the final three points of the game, as WHN’s depth and discipline held strong down the stretch.
Despite the loss, LadySweat (now 2-3) showed flashes of the team that won back-to-back titles. Toni led all LadySweat scorers with 9 points, hitting three consecutive three-pointers and finishing 50% from beyond the arc. Ruth provided a mid-game spark with back-to-back baskets, while Lala, Hayley, and Shereen each added key buckets in the effort to keep the game competitive.
While the celebration was dampened by the loss, LadySweat still flashed the heart of a champion. But on this day, it was WHN’s poise, firepower, and depth that made a bold statement heading into the second half of the season.
Westside War vs BBJ (61-55)
In a battle between the #1 and #2 seeds, this matchup delivered on every level—Westside War and BBJ clashed in what felt like a playoff preview, and it did not disappoint. When the dust settled, Westside War remained undefeated at 5-0, surviving a late push to earn a 61-55 GameBreaker victory in one of the most thrilling games of the season.
Player of the Game Jordan Robinson, aka Big Euro, was dominant on both ends of the floor, finishing with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 assists. After jumping out to an early 5-0 lead, Westside saw BBJ respond with a 7-0 run, but clutch buckets from Kevin helped secure a 14-13 lead after one. Robinson took control in the second quarter with 7 points, but BBJ managed to sneak into halftime with a 32-30 edge.
The second half was all grit. Rick Maganga buried a go-ahead three in the third and added 5 points as the War entered the fourth up 47-45. Jay D (9 points, 2-of-4 from deep) and Corey Hall (7 points, clutch free throws) were huge in crunch time, and Robinson capped it off in GameBreaker, adding 4 key points to close it out.
Westside’s game plan was clear—and it came from the top. Head coach WestPapas emphasized containing BBJ’s high-scoring guard Hezi God, and the strategy worked. Though Hezi still led all scorers with 24 points, he was forced into tough shots all game and shot just 9-of-23 from the field. Westside’s length, communication, and rotations made a major difference defensively.
BBJ, now 3-2, still looked like a top-tier contender. Hezi God (#4) hit five threes, and Vic Costa (#1) poured in 15 points on a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Zach Hinton (#24) added 8 points (4-of-7 FG), and Treydeuce brought interior presence throughout.
Both teams had something to prove in this heavyweight showdown between the league’s top two seeds—and Westside showed they’re still the team to beat.