Celebrate, Nation! Mengão is the two-time champion of the Super 8 Basketball Cup! In a thrilling final, decided in the final minutes, Flamengo defeated São Paulo 79-71 on Saturday afternoon (23), at the Antônio Prado Jr gymnasium, in the city of São Paulo. Star player Olivinha was named MVP of the final, with 19 points and 7 rebounds. With this victory, the Pride of the Nation secured a spot in the next edition of the Basketball Champions League Americas.

The game
The first quarter began with São Paulo opening an eleven-point lead. Flamengo's first points came from Olivinha. Hettsheimeir then hit a three-pointer to close the gap and level the score. With a defensive system that began to work, the Pride of the Nation demonstrated its resilience and equalized the score with a basket from Balbi, who entered the court throughout the period and gave the team greater consistency. By the end of the quarter, São Paulo had taken the lead again, closing at 19-15.

Just 15 seconds into the second quarter, Hettsheimeir sank a three-pointer, reducing the deficit to one point. The Morumbi team was performing well on three-point attempts and was able to convert their shots, unlike Flamengo, which wasted its offensive opportunities. With Léo Demétrio and Marquinhos on the court, the red-and-black team showed improved offensive performance. Franco Balbi, who was very good in the match, led the Red-and-Black team with great infiltration plays in the paint and led the team in points with eleven. The second quarter ended 41-36 for São Paulo.

In the third quarter, the game remained fairly even, with Marquinhos converting two consecutive three-pointers. Balbi dictated the pace for the red-and-black side and had a great game. In the final minutes, São Paulo surged again and opened up a lead. The Morumbi team finished the quarter ahead: 61-51.

Flamengo returned for the final quarter with more patience to work on their offensive plays. In a quick transition from defense to attack, the Pride of the Nation managed to get back on the scoreboard. Olivinha, with his usual grit, was impeccable on three-pointers and in his drive to the paint. Marquinhos, with a three-pointer, put Mengão ahead. Olivinha, in spectacular fashion, grabbed the rebound on offense and converted two more points for the Red-Blacks.

Based on grit and overcoming in the last quarter, where Mais Querido managed to reverse an unfavorable scenario, FlaBasquete showed all its quality and won the match, in a spectacular comeback, by 79 to 71, thus winning the Super 8 Basketball Cup for the second time!   

Highlights:
Olivinha - 19 points and 7 rebounds;
Franco Balbi - 16 points and 13 rebounds;
Marquinhos - 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Starting Quintet  
Yago, Chuzito, Rafael Mineiro, Olivinha and Hettsheimeir.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti


The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).