VBA 2026: Nha Trang Dolphins end their losing streak.

After four emotional quarters, Nha Trang Dolphins narrowly defeated Saigon Heat 85-82 in a group stage match of the 2026 Vietnam Professional Basketball League (VBA).

Cleveland Jackson (center) played the role of a top-class catalyst, helping the Nha Trang Dolphins turn the tide.

In the rematch on the evening of May 31st, Nha Trang Dolphins maintained their original lineup while Saigon Heat made two changes. Specifically, Huynh Truc Nhan – the best player in the previous encounter – was promoted to the starting lineup, replacing Nguyen Anh Kiet. Additionally, experienced forward Tim Waale started in place of Vietnamese-American player Mathys Kavazian.

In the first half of the first quarter, Saigon Heat's experiment with their new lineup proved ineffective, scoring only 5 points. Taking advantage of this, Nha Trang Dolphins quickly pulled ahead, creating a double-digit lead. With a strong start, "Út Phins" (Saigon Heat's nickname) steadily increased their advantage to 18 points, 33-15.

Brandis Raley Ross worked hard to help Saigon Heat turn the tide in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the momentum shifted as Saigon Heat began to capitalize on their advantage of having one more foreign player. At the 7th minute, after numerous efforts to tighten their defense and launch effective counter-attacks led by Brandis Raley Ross, coach Vu The Cang's team took the lead 39-38. Although they lost control of the game, a last-minute three-pointer from Huynh Vinh Quang brought the Nha Trang team back to a 45-45 tie.

In the third quarter, returning after the break, Saigon Heat continued their assault on the paint area of ​​their own team – an area lacking a true defensive center. Besides struggling to defend the basket, the absence of a key player in the paint also hampered their scoring. Scoring only 12 points, the yellow-jerseyed team trailed by 8 points, 57-65.

In the first three minutes of the final quarter, Cleveland Jackson and the duo of Vinh Quang and Dang Khoa combined to create a spectacular 11-1 scoring run, leading their team to a 68-66 comeback victory. From there, the two teams were locked in a fierce battle with a difference of less than 5 points. With just over 2 minutes remaining, Cleveland Jackson unleashed a superb three-pointer, directly giving "Ut Phins" a psychological and a 79-72 lead.

Nasanbat Munkhchudur shone in the final quarter, helping Nha Trang Dolphins secure the victory.

With the remaining time tense, Saigon Heat did not give up but counterattacked fiercely with three-point shots and traded fouls for time. However, despite their tenacity, the limited time left the former VBA champions unable to react and they suffered an 82-85 defeat.

Cleveland Jackson, the star scorer for the Nha Trang Dolphins, was named Player of the Game with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.

“We worked together closely to win. Even though the team didn't have its best lineup, that allowed the other members to step up and make positive contributions. I hope that will continue in the upcoming games,” Cleveland Jackson shared.

In this game, the Nha Trang Dolphins seemed to follow the script from the first round, starting well but then running out of steam and losing the victory. However, at a crucial moment, the outstanding performance of Cleveland Jackson and the impressive efforts of Nasanbat Munkhchudur, Huynh Vinh Quang, and Nguyen Duong Quang Anh helped "Ut Phins" change the outcome.

PHAN THACH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/vba-2026-nha-trang-dolphins-cham-dut-chuoi-tran-toan-thua-post966248.html