Basketball: Marcelinho is out of the League of the Americas
The point guard's hand injury is more serious than expected and the player will only return to the court in January.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo travels this Saturday to Venezuela, where they will play three games in the Basketball League of the Americas, without their main player on the court: shooting guard Marcelinho Machado, who is out due to a bone injury in his left hand.
In addition to the Flamengo doctor's diagnosis, two other specialists pointed out the need for a more flexible timeframe for the number 4's full recovery, according to Ricardo Machado, the team's physiotherapist. "He's been out for a week and should be out for another three weeks, returning to the group on January 4th," says Ricardo, the player's brother.
The injury occurred on November 6th, when Flamengo faced Saldanha in the NBB. The following week, in Joinville, Marcelinho played with pain, a situation that continued in subsequent rounds for Novo Basquete Brasil, despite being rested from the state championship.
For coach Paulo Chupeta, any team would be hurt by Marcelinho's absence. The coach, however, is confident in the team's ability and experience. "He's the team's star player, but the group is aware of the challenges and is prepared for any battle. We have high-level players like Duda, Jefferson, Hélio, Coloneze, and others, who are accustomed to making decisions and overcoming obstacles," says Chupeta.
Despite being injured, Marcelinho, as team captain, travels with the group to Venezuela. The team leaves this Saturday, with a stopover in Panama and an overnight stay in the Dominican Republic, from where another flight departs to Isla Margarita. Flamengo debuts on December 14th against a Puerto Rican team, Capitanes Arecibo. The following night, they face Halcones Rojos (Mexico) and conclude their participation on the 16th against the home team, Espartanos Margarita (Venezuela). The group winner qualifies for the Final Four, from February 4th to 6th, 2010.
In addition to the Flamengo doctor's diagnosis, two other specialists pointed out the need for a more flexible timeframe for the number 4's full recovery, according to Ricardo Machado, the team's physiotherapist. "He's been out for a week and should be out for another three weeks, returning to the group on January 4th," says Ricardo, the player's brother.
The injury occurred on November 6th, when Flamengo faced Saldanha in the NBB. The following week, in Joinville, Marcelinho played with pain, a situation that continued in subsequent rounds for Novo Basquete Brasil, despite being rested from the state championship.
For coach Paulo Chupeta, any team would be hurt by Marcelinho's absence. The coach, however, is confident in the team's ability and experience. "He's the team's star player, but the group is aware of the challenges and is prepared for any battle. We have high-level players like Duda, Jefferson, Hélio, Coloneze, and others, who are accustomed to making decisions and overcoming obstacles," says Chupeta.
Despite being injured, Marcelinho, as team captain, travels with the group to Venezuela. The team leaves this Saturday, with a stopover in Panama and an overnight stay in the Dominican Republic, from where another flight departs to Isla Margarita. Flamengo debuts on December 14th against a Puerto Rican team, Capitanes Arecibo. The following night, they face Halcones Rojos (Mexico) and conclude their participation on the 16th against the home team, Espartanos Margarita (Venezuela). The group winner qualifies for the Final Four, from February 4th to 6th, 2010.