VBA Round 9 (Regular Season): Buffaloes edge Dolphins by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 9 in the VBA took place in Hanoi. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Dolphins (4-2) to fourth ranked Buffaloes (4-3) 85-83 on Thursday evening. Buffaloes forced 24 Dolphins turnovers. Strangely Dolphins outrebounded Buffaloes 51-34 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. 24 personal fouls committed by Dolphins helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American forward Hassan Thomas (203-1996, college: Emporia St.) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import guard George Peterson (188-1995, college: WCU) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was British forward Joe Mvuezolo (197-1996, college: Montana St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Buffaloes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 4-3 record. Dolphins at the other side dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with Catfish. Buffaloes are again looking forward to face higher ranked Dolphins (#3) in Nha Trang in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dolphins will have a break next round.
An exciting game was played in Saigon. First ranked Heat faced second-best Catfish. Host Heat (7-1) defeated guests from Can Tho (4-2) 72-62. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Catfish. It was a good game for Canadian forward Jevonnie Scott (201-2000, college: Brock) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 15 rebounds. Elijah Weaver contributed with 5 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Dakota Zinser (191-1995, college: PBA) answered with 22 points and 5 rebounds for Catfish. Heat have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-1 record. Catfish at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with Dolphins. Heat will play against City Wings (#5) in Ho Chi Minh in the next round. Catfish will have a break next round.




Heat - Catfish 72-62

An exciting game was played in Saigon. First ranked Heat faced second-best Catfish. Host Heat (7-1) defeated guests from Can Tho (4-2) 72-62. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Catfish. Heat forced 19 Catfish turnovers. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a good game for Canadian forward Jevonnie Scott (201-2000, college: Brock) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 15 rebounds. American swingman Elijah Weaver (197-1998, college: Chicago St.) contributed with 5 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Dakota Zinser (191-1995, college: PBA) answered with 22 points and 5 rebounds and Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-1995, college: Jefferson) added 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Catfish. Heat have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-1 record. Catfish at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with Dolphins. Heat will play against City Wings (#5) in Ho Chi Minh in the next round. Catfish will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Heat: J.Scott 28+15reb, K.Ban Vo 11+2reb, V.Nguyen Huynh Phu 10+2reb+1ast, K.Nguyen Anh 7+1reb+1ast, T.Waale 6+6reb, E.Weaver 5+7reb+6ast
Catfish: D. Zinser 22+5reb+3ast, H.Dang Thai 10+3reb, Y.Sakhniuk 10+10reb+5ast, T.Dinh Thanh 8+9reb+1ast, K.Le Khac Dang 6+5reb+1ast, T.Truong Hoang 6+2reb+1ast

Buffaloes - Dolphins 85-83

The most exciting game of round 9 in the VBA took place in Hanoi. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Dolphins (4-2) to fourth ranked Buffaloes (4-3) 85-83 on Thursday evening. Buffaloes forced 24 Dolphins turnovers. Strangely Dolphins outrebounded Buffaloes 51-34 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. 24 personal fouls committed by Dolphins helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American forward Hassan Thomas (203-1996, college: Emporia St.) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import guard George Peterson (188-1995, college: WCU) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was British forward Joe Mvuezolo (197-1996, college: Montana St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Mykal Jenkins (202-2000, college: St.Petersburg) added 11 points and 19 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Buffaloes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 4-3 record. Dolphins at the other side dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with Catfish. Buffaloes are again looking forward to face higher ranked Dolphins (#3) in Nha Trang in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dolphins will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Buffaloes: H.Thomas 27+10reb+4ast, G.Peterson 16+7reb+6ast, R.Monyyong 15+12reb+2ast, C.Dinh Tien 10+3reb+1ast, J.Nguyen 6, D.Nguyen Tien 5+1ast
Dolphins: J.Mvuezolo 26+10reb+4ast, Q.Huynh Vinh 20+4reb+2ast, D.Tham 15+11reb+5ast, M.Jenkins 11+19reb+2ast, P.Nguyen Hoang 8+2ast, T.Son Minh 2+5reb+1ast