Young stars Sơn Minh Tâm (15) and Nguyễn Phúc Vinh (6) helped the Dolphins clinched playoff spots after victory against the Ho Chi Minh City Wings

NHA TRANG — The Nha Trang Dolphins clinched a playoff spot after a win against the Ho Chi Minh City Wings.

The match was held on Sunday at Nha Trang University Gymnasium in Nha Trang.

Both teams were fighting for the last ticket to the playoff.

In their last two matchups, the Dolphins have lost against the Wings. However, this time they were better prepared to get another victory at home.

The host took the 14-5 lead after five minutes of play. Jeremy Smith helped the Wings to shorten the lead, but the Dolphins still took a lead of 24-20 after the first quarter.

The Wings' tactics did not really work in this match as they only focused on scoring in the low post area, where the "twin towers" of the Dolphins, Robert Sampson and Dominique Tham, dominated.

The failure to connect on three-pointers was the main reason for the away team's loss.

The score was 43-33 before the break.

Unlike the visitors, the Dolphins' players had an impressive day at the three-point line as they made 15 out of 36 from three-point land.

Young players like Sơn Minh Tâm and Nguyễn Phúc Vinh had good performances and helped the host continue take the lead 75-60 after the third quarter.

With good defense in the last quarter, the host sealed their victory with the score of 93-83 and clinched a playoff birth.

Rising star Nguyễn Phúc Vinh won the Player of the Game award with 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals

The Dolphins were the last team that qualified for the playoffs. The other teams that clinched playoff spots were the Saigon Heat, the Hanoi Buffaloes and the Thang Long Warriors. VNS