VBA 2023’s 46th match day: Nha Trang Dolphins beat Saigon Heat

Nha Trang Dolphins had a thrilling home win over Saigon Heat by a score of 99-95 in the 46^th match day of VBA 2023 taking place at the sport arena of Nha Trang University on August 11 night.

Nha Trang Dolphins playing Saigon Heat

This was the third clash and also the last one between Nha Trang Dolphins and Saigon Heat in the group stage of VBA 2023. Nha Trang Dolphins had been eager to bounce back from their 2 defeats in the previous clashes with Saigon Heat. Besides having hoped to please their supporters and contribute to the funds for SOS Nha Trang Children’s Village, Nha Trang Dolphins had also wanted to consolidate their position in the top 4. Meanwhile, the visitors Saigon Heat had needed a win to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

The home teams had a better start. They won the first set 23-19 and forced star Kentrell Barkley of Saigon Heat to enter the game right in the first set. In the second set, Nha Trang Dolphins were leading by a margin of 10 points; however, the competence of Kentrell Barkley helped the visitors win the set at 45-46.

A slam of Saigon Heat player

It was really a thrilling competition between the two sides after the second set. Saigon Heat played better with good performances of Kentrell Barkley and other key players namely Hoang Tu and Du Minh An. The players of Nha Trang Dolphins also successfully scored points from many positions. The score was 83 – 83 when the match was only 30 seconds left. The last seconds of the match saw Madarious Gibbs of Nha Trang Dolphins incredibly missing two chances at the free-throw line to end the game. The two teams entered extra time. Son Minh Tam of Nha Trang Dolphins broke the balance with two consecutive three-point shots. It seemed that the hosts had one hand on the win, but Kentrell Barkley excellently got points back for the visitors, making it 95-93. With over 20 seconds remaining, Madarious Gibbs scored 4 points, making Nha Trang Dolphins the second team so far this season after VBA 2022 runners-up Hanoi Buffaloes defeating defending champions Saigon Heat with the score of 99 – 95.

Robert Sampson of Nha Trang Dolphins was named the best player of the match with 29 points and 17 rebounds. The great cheers from the home supporters encouraged the host players to play with endless effort, according to Robert Sampson. Kentrell Barkley of Saigon Heat set a new VBA record for most points in a game with 51 points (the old record belonged to Zach Allmon in VBA 2019).

After this match, Saigon Heat and Nha Trang Dolphins remained their positions at first and fourth respectively. This win helped Nha Trang Dolphins (8 wins, 6 losses) create a large gap with fifth-placed Ho Chi Minh City Wings (5 wins, 8 losses) and sixth-placed Cantho Catfish (4 wins, 9 losses).

An Nhien

Translated by H.N