Everything was going well for coach Paulo Chupeta's team until the eleventh minute of the match between Flamengo and Quimsa on Thursday night in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. For the team from Gávea to qualify for the Final Four of the South American League, Defensor needed to lose to the underdog Malvin. They lost. The red-and-blacks, even without Fred and Jefferson, played a strong first quarter and fell behind by just two points: 23-21. However, with a second quarter in which everything went wrong, the dream of a second South American championship ended with the Argentine team's 98-63 victory.

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A Malvin victory in the preliminary match against Defensor was considered virtually impossible, but it happened, making things easier for the red-and-blacks, who only needed to do their part against the home team. But it didn't happen. Strong in the paint, with 36 rebounds to Flamengo's 28, and excellent three-point shooting (45%), Quimsa quickly opened up a lead and never stopped. Marcelinho Machado and company lacked prominence and watched as the home team, cheered on by their passionate fans, took an unbelievable lead in the second quarter: 28-9.

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With a stellar performance by American Albert White Junior, who finished the first half with 18 points, Quimsa began its revenge against Flamengo, to whom it lost last year's title in this same Santiago del Estero gymnasium, and went into the locker room leading 51-30. In the second half, the Brazilian team, dejected, again failed to impose its rhythm and ended up becoming easy prey for the home team, who increased their lead even further and won the match 98-63, despite a red-and-black comeback in the final quarter, qualifying for the Final Four of the competition. Albert led the way with 25 points. For Flamengo, Teichmann performed better, scoring 20.

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Now, the red-and-blacks must return to Rio de Janeiro, rest, and focus on the beginning of their quest for a third national championship. The team from Gávea debuts next Sunday in the second edition of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) against Cetaf/Vila Velha, at 11 a.m., at the HSBC Arena.