VBA Star X-2025: Nha Trang Dolphins' playoff win boosts their chances of advancing

Nha Trang Dolphins secured a convincing 84-80 victory over Cantho Catfish at Khanh Hoa sports arena on September 5 night. The win gives Nha Trang Dolphins a 1-0 lead in the first round of VBA Star X-2025 playoffs, putting them in a strong position to advance.

Regarding to Nha Trang Dolphins’ and Cantho Catfish’s strength this season, the former held the upper hand. Their key players, including Mykal Jenkins, Max Allen, Jaylyn Richardson, and Huynh Vinh Quang, have had relatively more time playing with each other and were in stable form. The visitors Cantho Catfish, on the other hand, faced significant upheaval as newcomer Devin Peterson only had one game to get acquainted with his teammates, and star player Dominique Tham, who had been added to their roster, hadn’t joined the team.

Play-off match between Nha Trang Dolphins (right) and Cantho Catfish

Nha Trang Dolphins leveraged their home-court advantage and the powerful physique of Vietnamese-American star Max Allen to take the front foot. The teamwork between Max Allen and other offensive players helped Nha Trang Dolphins to dominate the game. For the first 3 quarters, Coach Todd Purves's players consistently held the lead, at times extending their advantage to 10 points. Cantho Catfish, on the other hand, spent most of the time just trying to play defense and hold off the hosts’ attacks. Additionally, after playing offense and defense for a long time, Cantho Catfish’s star player, Malek Green, started to show signs of fatigue.

In the final quarter, both teams continued to battle for the lead. The pace of the game slowed as players on both sides showed signs of fatigue. While Nha Trang Dolphins struggled with their offense and free throws, Cantho Catfish’s Michael Soy scored three consecutive baskets, helping the visitors tie the game at 76-77. With only seconds left on the clock and the score at 83-80 in favor of Nha Trang Dolphins, Coach Phan Thanh Canh's team fouled twice to stop the clock and try to get a chance to tie the score. However, both of their key players, Michael Soy and Devin Peterson, missed their shots. Finally, Nha Trang Dolphins won with a successful free throw, ending the game 84-80.

Mykal Jenkins, the main center of Nha Trang Dolphins, was named Player of the Game with 25 points and 13 rebounds. In this match, Nha Trang Dolphins took advantage of their strong their roster of competent players to control the area near the basket. The powerful play and strong rebounding from the duo Max Allen and Mykal Jenkins forced Cantho Catfish's starting lineup into making many technical fouls, putting them in a difficult position.

With this win, Nha Trang Dolphins take a 1-0 lead over Cantho Catfish in the playoff round, getting an advantage as the two teams prepare to face off again in their next match at Tan Binh sports arena in Ho Chi Minh City on September 8.

AN NHIEN
Translated by H.N