The Nha Trang Dolphins, who suffered a defeat against the Hanoi Buffaloes in the 2022 VBA semifinals due to a player disadvantage, are poised to strike back this year with enhanced strength and exceptional performance against the capital city’s team.

In the VBA 2022 season, the Nha Trang Dolphins advanced beyond the group stage for the first time and encountered the Hanoi Buffaloes in the semifinals. 

Unfortunately, the absence of their key player, Cleveland Jackson, due to injury, left the Nha Trang Dolphins at a significant disadvantage in comparison to the Hanoi basketball representatives.

In the 2023 VBA, a familiar scenario unfolded as the Nha Trang Dolphins and Hanoi Buffaloes crossed paths in the semifinals. 

This presents the youngest team in the VBA with a chance to settle their debt from the previous season.

“The entire team is dedicated to rigorous practice in preparation for the rematch against the Hanoi Buffaloes,” said small forward Son Minh Tam, filled with determination. 

“If we succeed, the Nha Trang Dolphins will make history by reaching the finals.”

For this year’s semifinals, the Nha Trang Dolphins boast several key advantages. 

Notably, the Dolphins maintain the core lineup that led to their achievements last year, including Vietnamese star Dominique Tham, the reigning Domestic Player of the Year Huynh Vinh Quang, and Lam Quang Sang.

Moreover, the coastal city team has significantly bolstered their roster by adding a star player with VBA championship experience, Madarious Gibbs.

Coach Predrag Lukic and his team are currently in outstanding form, having secured victory in all five of their home matches. 

This remarkable streak provides the ideal platform for the team to launch their challenge against their rivals on home turf.

Lukic declared that despite the Hanoi Buffaloes’ formidable lineup, his team had demonstrated their strength on their home ground and would stay committed to maintaining that focus as they aimed to win the first semifinal.

As for the Hanoi Buffaloes, just a few days prior to the match, they replaced their foreign player, Anthony January, with former ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) standout Lenny Daniel.

The VBA semifinals employ a best-of-three format, where a maximum of three matches is played. 

Since the first team to win two matches secures a spot in the final, winning the first match offers a substantial advantage.

ON Sports News, ON Sports Action, and the ON Plus app, and VTVcab, serve as the broadcasting platforms for this match.

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