VBA 2023: Nha Trang Dolphins extend home wins

On the 55th match day of VBA 2023, Nha Trang Dolphins extended their home wins to 3 after defeating Danang Dragons 108-105 at the sports arena of Nha Trang University on August 23 night.

Although having already guaranteed a place in the semifinals, Nha Trang Dolphins still needed wins to increase the advantage in the next round. Even though they are no longer able to compete for the top two positions of Hanoi Buffaloes and Saigon Heats, Nha Trang Dolphins need to protect their third place to avoid challenges from the fourth-placed Thang Long Warriors. As for Danang Dragons, the result of their clash with Nha Trang Dolphins wouldn’t change the fact that they have failed to progress to the next round. 

Match between Nha Trang Dolphins and Danang Dragons

William Tran, who scored over 30 points for Danang Dragons in the previous match, still played an important role in the tactic of Danang Dragons this time. The strategy of coach Todd Purves using Jairus Holder as a point guard and other players as defenders created opportunities for the players of the hosts Nha Trang Dolphins to make three-point shots. Thanks to 24 points from long distance shots, with an efficiency of 61% (8 out of 13), Nha Trang Dolphins won the first set 34 - 20.

The hosts continued to make three-pointers in the second and third sets while Danang Dragons kept dribbling and getting to the rim. After the third set, Nha Trang Dolphins still had a quite large point margin against Danang Dragons at 89 - 77. In the 3rd minute of the last set, Huynh Vinh Quang helped Nha Trang Dolphins break the record of three-pointer shots. Trieu Han Minh, Jairus Holder and William Tran of Danang Dragons answered back with 6 three-pointer shots into Nha Trang Dolphins’s basket, making the score 102-103. The last 2 minutes saw Nha Trang Dolphins’ Madarious Gibbs scoring points and assisting in scoring. Finally, Nha Trang Dolphins claimed a 108-105 win over Danang Dragons.

Robert Sampson of Nha Trang Dolphins was named Player of the Game thanks to his 26 points and 15 rebounds. In this match, with 19 times making three-pointer shots, Nha Trang Dolphins broke their record for the most three-pointer shots in a match (17 times in the 16th match). Jairus Holder and William Tran of Danang Dragons also had outstanding performances with 40 points and 24 points respectively. 

This was the 3rd win in a row of Nha Trang Dolphins, which helped to consolidate their 3rd place on the table. Their next match will also take place at home ground, against Cantho Catfish on August 29.

An Nhien
Translated by H.N