VBA 2023: Nha Trang Dolphins advance to finals

Nha Trang Dolphins had second win against Hanoi Buffaloes in the semi-finals of the VBA 2023 taking place at Hoang Mai Stadium, Hanoi on September 12. Two wins out of three semi-final games have booked Nha Trang Dolphins a place in the final round of VBA for the first time since their inception.

Invigorated by their first win of the semi-finals at home court, hugely-spirited Nha Trang Dolphins travelled to Hanoi to play their second semi-final game against Hanoi Buffaloes at Hoang Mai Stadium. Another win would see them, the last established team of VBA, progressing to the final round for the first time. The visitors Nha Trang Dolphins started the first set on the front foot. The excellence of Madarious Gibbs in attack helped the away team continuously score points, leading Hanoi Buffaloes with a score of 16-8. However, with the great cheer from home supporters, Hanoi Buffaloes regained their composure and displayed better and restored parity, 18-18, at the end of the set. The second and third sets took place excitingly. Players namely Huynh Vinh Quang and Nguyen Phuc Vinh of Nha Trang Dolphins unleashed many accurate 3-point shots, helping the visitors ending the third set at 56-45.

Nha Trang Dolphins win 2 out of 3 semi-final games over Hanoi Buffaloes, winning a ticket to the 2023 VBA finals.

The fourth set saw Hanoi Buffaloes putting pressure on the defense line of Nha Trang Dolphins, pushing the tempo and bridging the point gap to 51-56. However, with many players of equal competences, Nha Trang Dolphins increased the gap and finally won the game with the score of 82-67. 

Madarious Gibbs, who played an important role in the second win of Nha Trang Dolphins over Hanoi Buffaloes, was the Player of the Game with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He was also the player fouled the most on the court (11 times). Son Minh Tam and Vo Huy Hoan performed excellently in the last set, scoring 17 points. Lenny Daniel, the key player of Hanoi Buffaloes, had 24 points and 18 rebounds. Udun Osakue of the hosts only scored 14 points but made 7 assists and 4 steals.

In the finals, Nha Trang Dolphins will compete with defending champions Saigon Heat, who defeated Thanglong Warrious in the semi-final round.

An Nhien
Translated by H.N