Kim Ban and Phu Vinh threw a "clutch", engulfing Nha Trang Dolphins at CIS N
Welcoming Nha Trang Dolphins at the "fire pan" of CIS, Saigon Heat was determined to break the 6 losing streak of home teams in the second phase of VBA 2023. With such determination, the Heat encountered an extreme challenge. difficulty comes from "old man" Madarious Gibbs and teammates.
The two sides chased the score throughout all 4 rounds and it was not until the last 3 minutes that Saigon Heat really broke out with the bright spot of two internal soldiers including Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh and Vo Kim Ban.
There was no feeling of throwing too well in this match with 3-9 FG and 1-5 3PT, Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh still coldly successfully threw a 3-pointer, giving the Heat an 87-81 lead.
After 4 consecutive points of Nha Trang Dolphins shortened the score to 85-87, it was Vo Kim Ban's turn to take action. The player from Soc Trang scored a series of personal points 5-0, including a 3-point "clutch" in a difficult position and an excellent quick counter-attack.
With Hassan Thomas's free throw, Saigon Heat won the final against Nha Trang Dolphins with a score of 94-90.
In the match with the highest minutes since the beginning of the season (30 minutes), Vo Kim Record 18 points with 70% FG (including 4-6 3PT), with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh is right behind with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal.
Kentrell Barkley is still a familiar owner of the Player of The Game title, nearly equaling his season-high at VBA with 41 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Hassan Thomas nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.
Du Minh An is the only one left to score Heat with 11 points (3-5 3PT). All 94 points of "Mr. 30" come from 5 names in the official lineup.
On the side of Nha Trang Dolphins, Madarious Gibbs maintained an impressive performance despite facing the old team. He has 24 points with 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals.
Besides not being able to win, today Gibbs led the team with 5 turnovers and only 1-8 3PT. Also feeling the bad 3 was Robert Sampson with 1-6 3PT, ending the game with 22 points (10-17 FG) with 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Dominique Tham was in bad shape when she had to leave the field twice to be cared for by the doctors, finishing the game with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Dolphins' good trio of internal soldiers today are Vo Huy Hoan (15 points, 4-9 3PT), Huynh Vinh Quang (10 points, 4-7 FG) and Nguyen Hoang Phuc (7 points, 3-5 FG, 3 points) assist).
After this victory, Saigon Heat will have a 10-day break. They will return to the field at 19:30 on July 30 during the trip to Danang Dragons' stadium.
Meanwhile, Nha Trang Dolphins continued their series of matches away from home by competing against Cantho Catfish. The match will tip-off at 19:30 on Sunday, July 23.
