The volleyball team, likened to a 'miniature Vietnamese national team,' celebrated a resounding victory in the first tournament of 2026.

The reigning champion Border Guard MB continued to demonstrate its top-tier status by securing a convincing 3-0 win over Ho Chi Minh City in the 2026 Hoa Lu Binh Dien Cup, with scores of 25-19, 25-16, and 25-18.

The match witnessed the comprehensive superiority of the military-uniformed team in both tactical organization and personnel quality. Right from the opening set, Border Guard quickly imposed control with a solid and disciplined playstyle. Their effective defensive line neutralized most of Ho Chi Minh City's attacks while creating opportunities for their counterattacks to shine.

The seamless coordination between setter Dinh Van Duy and attackers like Pham Van Hiep and Nguyen Ngoc Thuân resulted in consistent scoring efficiency. Although Ho Chi Minh City had bright moments from captain Thoai Khương's orchestration and the finishing plays of Hong Hoang and Che Quoc Vo Lit, the skill gap became increasingly evident towards the end of the set as Border Guard surged ahead to close it with a 25-19 win.

Entering the second set, Ho Chi Minh City surprisingly started with high energy and even built a 4-point lead at one stage. However, the turning point came after coach Tran Dinh Tien's timeout. Border Guard promptly adjusted tactics, tightened their formation, and notably improved the effectiveness of their blocking line.

Precisely this focus and tightness at the net allowed the military-uniformed team to reverse the momentum, scoring consecutively and widening the gap. From a trailing position, Border Guard surged powerfully before concluding the set with a decisive 25-16 victory.

With nothing left to lose, Ho Chi Minh City poured all their effort into the third set hoping to secure a respectable win. Nevertheless, instability in coordination and offensive organization prevented them from sustaining pressure against their opponent.

Meanwhile, Border Guard MB continued to display a versatile and efficient playstyle with multiple attack options from the wings to the center. Their superior strength helped them maintain a safe lead before sealing the 25-18 victory.

The 3-0 victory not only reaffirmed Border Guard MB's champion caliber but also showcased their squad depth and impressive stability. On the other hand, despite great effort, Ho Chi Minh City still needs to improve cohesion and effectiveness in critical moments to compete evenly in major matches.