After a heroic comeback, Fla is the LDO champion
Rubro-negro beat Bauru 70-68 in the final minutes and took the title
By Official Website Team - in
Flamengo ended 2011 with a champion's cry. After a heroic comeback, the under-21 Flamengo team defeated Bauru in the Olympic Development League (LDO) final, 70-68, and took the title. The São Paulo team led for most of the game, but a basket by 19-year-old center Ricardo Bampa, who came off the bench, gave the title to Brazil's most beloved team.
After trailing their opponent by almost 15 points, Flamengo entered the final quarter with 11 points to take. And they did. Ricardo Bampa stepped onto the court and hit two three-pointers, putting Flamengo back in contention. With a sure hand, he sank another shot with a second remaining, sealing the game's final score.
"It's always good to win, and I have no words to describe this title. We suffered so much; we deserved this victory more than anyone. I can't even explain it, I have goosebumps," said the game's hero.
Very emotional on the court, Flamengo's players were very grateful to coach Paulo Chupeta, who was already an NBB champion with the red-black professional team.
"We fought hard for this title. Chupeta became like a father figure to us, he embraced this project and trusted each of the players. Today we are crowning all our efforts," said power forward Fred Duarte, Flamengo's standout player in the competition alongside point guard Gegê.
Also without hiding his happiness for the title won alongside the Flamengo kids, Paulo Chupeta felt rejuvenated.
"Every day is exciting; we feel younger. These kids needed support, and I accepted the challenge. There's no better prize than winning the title," the coach added.
Flamengo's basketball director, Arnaldo Szpiro, also celebrated Flamengo's excellent performance this year in all categories.
"Flamengo's youth team performed like we haven't seen in a long time. We are very happy with this title in the first Brazilian under-21 championship, repeating the adult team that won the first NBB," he stated, before concluding.
"The adult team was revamped mid-year and we managed to win our seventh state championship. The plan we made was fully achieved. We are very pleased with Flamengo's basketball," he concluded.
After trailing their opponent by almost 15 points, Flamengo entered the final quarter with 11 points to take. And they did. Ricardo Bampa stepped onto the court and hit two three-pointers, putting Flamengo back in contention. With a sure hand, he sank another shot with a second remaining, sealing the game's final score.
"It's always good to win, and I have no words to describe this title. We suffered so much; we deserved this victory more than anyone. I can't even explain it, I have goosebumps," said the game's hero.
Very emotional on the court, Flamengo's players were very grateful to coach Paulo Chupeta, who was already an NBB champion with the red-black professional team.
"We fought hard for this title. Chupeta became like a father figure to us, he embraced this project and trusted each of the players. Today we are crowning all our efforts," said power forward Fred Duarte, Flamengo's standout player in the competition alongside point guard Gegê.
Also without hiding his happiness for the title won alongside the Flamengo kids, Paulo Chupeta felt rejuvenated.
"Every day is exciting; we feel younger. These kids needed support, and I accepted the challenge. There's no better prize than winning the title," the coach added.
Flamengo's basketball director, Arnaldo Szpiro, also celebrated Flamengo's excellent performance this year in all categories.
"Flamengo's youth team performed like we haven't seen in a long time. We are very happy with this title in the first Brazilian under-21 championship, repeating the adult team that won the first NBB," he stated, before concluding.
"The adult team was revamped mid-year and we managed to win our seventh state championship. The plan we made was fully achieved. We are very pleased with Flamengo's basketball," he concluded.