Saigon Heat (white shirt) reached the finals for the fifth consecutive season. Photo courtesy of VBA
HCM CITY - The defending champion Saigon Heat reached the finals for the fifth consecutive season after defeating the Nha Trang Dolphins in game 2 of their best-of-three semi-final series.
In the first quarter, the Dolphins increased the tempo at both ends of the court. This initiative helped the home team gain the advantage.
In response, Elijah Weaver of the Heat lead the team back. The great performance of Weaver along with support from reserves helped the Heat keep the game in balance at 21-20.
In the second quarter, besides the efforts of Mykal Jenkins in the paint area, other key players of the Dolphins also started to score points. Joe Mvuezolo, Nguyễn Hoàng Phúc and Huỳnh Thanh Tâm helped the home team create a nine-point lead.
Under the pressure of the home team's acceleration, the Heat still kept close thanks to their efficiency at the three-point line. It was Võ Kim Bản's buzzer beater that helped the Heat keep their opponents in sight at 42-40.
After the break, the Heat fought back aggressively. Thanks to strong support from two reserve players Nguyễn Anh Kiệt and Tim Waale, the guests created their first five-point lead of the night.
However, the guests' momentum met fierce resistance from the home team, and the Heat only led by one point 64-64 after the third quarter.
In the final quarter, veteran Nguyễn Huỳnh Phú Vinh scored 11 points for the Heat. In the eighth minute, a powerful dunk by Jevonnie Scott helped the visitors put one hand on the victory by creating a gap of nine points at 85-76.
In the remaining time, Dominique Tham tried his best to help the Dolphins fight back. However, against the most experienced opponent in the tournament, the Dolphins had to accept defeat 86-8.
Weaver, the top scorer of the Heat, was the Player of the Game with 19 points, 13 rebounds and five steals.
"The Nha Trang Dolphins are a strong team with many outstanding individuals. Therefore, I feel great to be able to defeat them and advance to the finals. This is the first time I have participated in the VBA finals. This success is the result of the whole team's efforts," Weaver shared. VNS
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