VietNamNet Bridge – Phan Thanh Canh has been appointed head coach of Danang Dragons.

Phan Thanh Canh (right) seen while working for Saigon Heat. He will take charge of Danang Dragons when the season begins in May. — Photo of VBA

Canh replaces American Donte Hill to lift the failing Dragons back to the top.

Danang Dragons made a bang when they won the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) title in 2016. However they could not maintain their peak and failed to defend their title in the next year. The team finished fifth out of six in 2018.

Canh worked as a coach assistant in Saigon Heat, five years at the ASEAN Basketball League and three years at the VBA. Earlier he was a lecturer at the HCM City Sports and Physical Training College.

He also assisted national team head coach Todd Purves at the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia. He took charge of the U20 team who travelled to compete in Cambodia earlier this year.

Canh is the second Vietnamese coach guiding a team in the VBA, following Hua Thanh Hao at HCM City Wings last year.

He has a tough task ahead to rebuild the team following the departures of Chris Dierker, Nguyen Hoang Tuan, Tran Tien Thinh, and Vo Van Thanh.

The VBA season is scheduled to begin in May.

Source: VNS