VBA Round 26: Heat lose to Buffaloes

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 4 rounds. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Round 26 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Heat (12-3). They were edged by second ranked Buffaloes (13-3) 81-79 on Tuesday night. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heat. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Buffaloes forced 20 Heat turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Anthony January (204-1993, college: CSUSB, agency: Interperformances) had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American-Nigerian forward Udun Osakue (198-1992, college: SF State, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 13 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists during the contest. Buffaloes' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American swingman Kentrell Barkley (195-1996, college: ECU, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Buffaloes have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Defending champion Heat dropped to the second place with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Buffaloes. Heat will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Buffaloes will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Catfish in Can Tho.
Seventh-ranked Dragons (0-16) gave a tough game to third ranked Dolphins (10-6) in Nha Trang. Dolphins managed to secure only three-point victory 108-105. However their fans expected much easier game. American forward Robert Sampson (203-1992, college: Georgia Tech) notched a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Madarious Gibbs supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Even a double-double of 40 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists by American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) did not help to save the game for Dragons. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dolphins have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 10-6 record having just three points less than leader Buffaloes. Dragons at the other side still closes the standings. Dolphins will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Dragons will play at home against Wings (#5) and hope to get finally their first victory.

Buffaloes - Saigon Heat 81-79

Round 26 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Heat (12-3). They were edged by second ranked Buffaloes (13-3) 81-79 on Tuesday night. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heat. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Buffaloes forced 20 Heat turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Anthony January (204-1993, college: CSUSB, agency: Interperformances) had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American-Nigerian forward Udun Osakue (198-1992, college: SF State, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 13 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists during the contest. Four Buffaloes players scored in double figures. Buffaloes' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American swingman Kentrell Barkley (195-1996, college: ECU, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks and international power forward Phu Vinh Nguyen (203-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds. Buffaloes have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Defending champion Heat dropped to the second place with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Buffaloes. Heat will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Buffaloes will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Catfish in Can Tho.
Top scorers:
Buffaloes: A.January 27+16reb+3ast, C.Dinh Tien 20+2reb+3ast, U.Osakue 13+13reb+10ast, D.Thanh Tam 11+3reb+2ast, N.Huy Hoang 4, V.Viet Hoang 2+1reb+1ast
Saigon Heat: K.Barkley 27+14reb+5ast, P.Vinh Nguyen 19+16reb+1ast, H.Thomas 14+6reb+4ast, V.Kim Ban 9+1ast, T.Waale 6+5reb+2ast, H.Tu 4

Dolphins - Dragons 108-105

Seventh-ranked Dragons (0-16) gave a tough game to third ranked Dolphins (10-6) in Nha Trang. Dolphins managed to secure only three-point victory 108-105. However their fans expected much easier game. Dolphins players were unselfish on offense dishing 32 assists. American forward Robert Sampson (203-1992, college: Georgia Tech) notched a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Madarious Gibbs (185-1993, college: Texas Southern) supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Sampson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Dolphins players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 40 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists by American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) did not help to save the game for Dragons. Canadian forward Will Tran (-1998) added 24 points and 8 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dolphins have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 10-6 record having just three points less than leader Buffaloes. Dragons at the other side still closes the standings. Dolphins will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Dragons will play at home against Wings (#5) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Dolphins: R.Sampson 26+15reb+6ast, M.Gibbs 20+6reb+9ast, D.Tham 18+5reb+7ast, H.Vinh Quang 17+2reb+4ast, S.Minh Tam 14+2reb+2ast, N.Phuc Vinh 5+5reb+3ast
Dragons: J.Holder 40+10reb+4ast, W.Tran 24+8reb+1ast, M.Trieu Han 14+3reb+1ast, J.Marrow 9+1reb+6ast, D.Kaillum 6+2reb+2ast, N.Anh Kiet 5+1reb+2ast



Tags : ANTHONY JANUARY, HANOI BUFFALOES, VIETNAMESE BASKETBALL