Two-time LDB champions
Under-22 basketball team wins second Basketball Development League championship
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
The second title in three editions of the Basketball Development League (LDB). On Monday night (December 30.12), the under-22 basketball team defeated Minas Gerais 51-42, winning the national championship trophy in the category, at the Hélio Mauricio gymnasium, in the Gávea social headquarters. The stands were packed, even with the rain that fell in Rio de Janeiro during the game. Among the fans, who didn't stop singing throughout the game, were Shilton, the adult center, and coach José Neto. Also watching the game were Alexandre Póvoa, VP of Olympic Sports, and President Eduardo Bandeira de Mello. Center Cristiano Felício was the top scorer and recorded another double-double, with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while point guard Gegê led in assists with eight.
"The boys' development was a result of the creation of the LDB. It gave these kids the opportunity to shine, because in the past, the U-19s ended and they went straight to the Adults. As a result, they weren't developed enough to make the squad for this category. Today, they make up the Flamengo team, a strong team, and they help Neto a lot. The fans too, they've always been our sixth man. The fans know when to support the team and that's crucial for the boys," praised coach Paulo Chupeta.
"The boys' development was a result of the creation of the LDB. It gave these kids the opportunity to shine, because in the past, the U-19s ended and they went straight to the Adults. As a result, they weren't developed enough to make the squad for this category. Today, they make up the Flamengo team, a strong team, and they help Neto a lot. The fans too, they've always been our sixth man. The fans know when to support the team and that's crucial for the boys," praised coach Paulo Chupeta.
The game started off fiercely contested, but with few baskets, until Gegê fired up the crowd with a three-pointer, opening the scoring for Flamengo. Chupeta kept the fans excited with a dunk after a steal with four minutes remaining. Gegê and Felício led the team, and the 13-6 score in favor of Flamengo prompted Minas Gerais to call a timeout. Flamengo maintained the pace until the end of the quarter, closing the first half with an 18-9 lead. The second quarter was a heated affair, but with low scoring from both teams. Diego scored Flamengo's first points with a beautiful three-pointer midway through the quarter. Felício continued to excel in the paint. The second half ended 10-5 for Flamengo. The team went into halftime comfortably leading, 28-14.
In the third quarter, Gegê and Diego hit two consecutive three-pointers, much to the delight of the fans. Midway through the quarter, Minas Gerais turned the score around with another three-pointer, but Diego Marques leveled the score with another outside shot. Despite being the most evenly matched half of the match, with Minas Gerais leading 14-15, Flamengo maintained a healthy overall lead, winning 42-29.
In the final quarter of the final, the teams didn't come out with their best shots. There was a lot of fighting in the paint, but only two points for each side in four minutes. Minas Gerais responded, opening up a lead in the first half, while Flamengo held on to just one basket. The deficit narrowed to 4-44, but with three minutes remaining, Minas Gerais scored again, much to the delight of the red-and-black fans in the stands. With just over a minute left, the fans were already rehearsing the two-time champion chant. Flamengo responded on the court and took the lead for the first time in the quarter, with two free throws converted by Cristiano Felício. With 37 seconds remaining, the starting players were already celebrating their second LDB championship on the bench, along with the coaching staff.
"I think the title came to crown the year. The year of NBB and LDB titles, two Brazilian titles in a year, I think it's a crowning achievement. And being able to play in all three editions (of the LDB) and come away with the two-time championship is priceless. I'd like to thank Chupeta, who always puts me in the game whenever he can, and Neto, who helps me train. Flamengo basketball is growing every day. We want to continue evolving and bring more joy to this crowd that packed Gávea. For us, it's wonderful, priceless. For me, as a Flamengo fan, this crowd is wonderful. When they fight and play with us, it's hard to lose. I think on the court, we represented what they wanted," celebrated point guard Gegê.
"I think the title came to crown the year. The year of NBB and LDB titles, two Brazilian titles in a year, I think it's a crowning achievement. And being able to play in all three editions (of the LDB) and come away with the two-time championship is priceless. I'd like to thank Chupeta, who always puts me in the game whenever he can, and Neto, who helps me train. Flamengo basketball is growing every day. We want to continue evolving and bring more joy to this crowd that packed Gávea. For us, it's wonderful, priceless. For me, as a Flamengo fan, this crowd is wonderful. When they fight and play with us, it's hard to lose. I think on the court, we represented what they wanted," celebrated point guard Gegê.