On the eve of another Final Four, the Pride of the Nation continues its intense preparation for Saturday's game (March 14.03) against Pioneros de Quintana Roo. The winner of the match between Flamengo and the Mexican team will advance to the 2015 League of the Americas (LDA) final, which takes place on Sunday (March 15.03) at Maracanãzinho. To achieve its second championship, FlaBasquete relies on a team that won everything it competed in in 2014 and whose main characteristic is a strong squad, full of players capable of making a difference.

One of those names is Victor Benite. Since arriving at Gávea in 2012, the red-and-black point guard has quickly become one of the most important names in José Neto's squad. Accustomed to making a difference in late games and decisive moments in championships, the Pride of the Nation's number eight made no secret of his expectations for the Final Four. "The team, from the beginning of the season until now, has experienced a period of very good growth. We had some problems, we didn't play so well at first, but we got better, the pieces fell into place, and we reached this final stage with everyone in peak physical shape and very confident. This Final Four is a series of single games, where if you lose, you're out, if you win, you're in the final, and it's very important that we're mentally well prepared. I expect a packed gym, Flamengo fans applying a lot of pressure, as usual, and our team playing with great determination. We have to be aware that we're at home and the pressure has to be on our opponents. I'll do whatever it takes to try to help as much as possible," said Benite.

So far, the Pride of the Nation has lost only one match in this LDA, precisely to Pioneros, the team Flamengo faces again this Saturday. Aware that the Red-Blacks will not have an easy time in this first game of the Final Four, the point guard has no doubt that the Biggest Fanbase in the World will be even more important than the Mexican fans were in the first match on their home turf. "When Flamengo fans fill a gymnasium or a stadium, they exert greater pressure than any other fan base can. If we know how to use this on the court to our advantage to boost our morale and confidence, we have everything we need to show that we are one: fans and players, demonstrating that beating us is not easy. We want to show that our pressure can be much worse than any other we face out there," he concluded.

But it's not just Victor Benite who spoke about the importance of writing a different story in this second clash between Flamengo and Pioneros de Quintana Roo. Another key member of the Pride of the Nation squad, shooting guard Marquinhos, made his desire to win clear. "We played a great game in Mexico until the end of the third quarter, when we lost some rhythm. This was most likely due to being shorthanded at that point, which hinders our team's characteristic rotation. I expect us to play well every quarter on Saturday. We have to continue with one of our greatest strengths: attacking collectively to find someone in a favorable position to score."

Also three years into his time at Gávea, like Benite, Marquinhos took the opportunity to once again call on the Mais Querido fans to come to Maracanãzinho. "We're going to put pressure on their team, without neglecting our excellent defense. I'm here, calling on the entire Red-Black Nation to support us as we aim for another victory. You make a difference," he concluded.