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Vietnam finally wins SEA Games men's 5v5 basketball medal, stuns Indonesia for bronze


By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—A breakthrough in Vietnamese basketball took place on Tuesday when its national 5-on-5 team claimed the bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games, beating Indonesia in the battle for third, 86-71, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Vietnam suddenly broke loose in the second quarter, outscoring Indonesia, 24-15, to turn a 17-19 deficit at the end of the first quarter to a 41-34 halftime lead.

Vietnam then added 26 more points in the third period and opened a 13-point cushion, 67-54, and never looked back from there.

Tran Dang Khoa led Vietnam, which won a SEA Games 5x5 basketball medal for the first time ever, with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Chris Dierker added 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block, while Dinh Thanh Tam and Justin Young put up 15 markers each with the latter adding 11 boards for the double-double, three dimes, and one block.

Steven Oei made 17 points, 10 caroms, and one assist for Indonesia.

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