The Dolphins are one win away from officially advancing to the playoff. Photo courtesy of VBA

HCM CITY- The final game in the regular season between the defending champions Saigon Heat and the defending runner-up Nha Trang Dolphins ended with a win for the Dolphins.

With this win, the Dolphins is one win away from officially advancing to the playoff.

In the first quarter, the defending champions led the game by scoring inside the paint area. With effective support from Tim Waale and Nguyễn Anh Kiệt the guests further increased the lead.

Entering the game with full enthusiasm, coach David Grice and his team easily established a double-digit lead of 32-20.

In the second quarter, the home team fought back thanks to the efforts of Joe Mvuezolo and Nguyễn Hoàng Phúc and the Dolphins shortened that lead. In the last ten seconds, Mykal Jenkins scored two points from the layup and then blocked Tim Waale's attack to help the home team to a score board of 50-42.

After the break, Dominique Tham of the Dolphins showed his strength in the paint areas to break that lead. In the seventh minute, thanks to the persistent efforts of the Dolphin's captain, the home team brought the game to within three points at 61-64.

In response, the Heat playmaker, Elijah Weaver used his speed to protect the lead to 72-67.

In the sixth minute of the last quarter, after a steal and counterattack by Joe Mvuezolo, the home team had their first lead of the night of 82-81.

From here, both teams played neck and neck.

With more than 20 seconds left on the clock and the score at 90-88 for the Dolphins, the Heat had to foul to get back ball possession.

However, the strong mentality of the young player Nguyễn Hoàng Phúc, at the free throw line, meant the home team ended the match with the final score of 94-91

Joe Mvuezolo, the top scorer of the Dolphins, was awarded Player of the Game, with 28 points and 13 rebounds.

“After the break, we increased the pressure and looked for opportunities to steal the ball. In my opinion, this was probably the key to the team's comeback to win. This result gives me a great feeling. Above all, the whole team once again showed the strength of unity,” said Joe Mvuezolo. VNS