Flamengo leads the 2009-2010 New Basketball Brazil Championship. With a flawless performance, the Red-Black team crushed Palmeiras/Araraquara 98-71 at the HSBC Arena, and also benefited from rival Brasília's stumble to take first place in the championship's qualifying round. The team from the federal capital fell to Saldanha da Gama 76-75, and as a result, Flamengo now leads the NBB with 18 wins in 22 matches.

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Third-place Franca also stumbled in the round, leaving Flamengo with at least second place guaranteed. After all, there are only four rounds remaining in the qualifying phase, and Flamengo holds a four-win advantage over the São Paulo team. The Gávea team's next challenge is on Friday (March 26.03), at 20 p.m., against Bauru.

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The team from Gávea began building their victory in the first quarter. Surprisingly, Palmeiras/Araraquara didn't trouble the strong red-and-black defense, which, solid as it was, provided the basis for the quick and efficient attacks of coach Paulo Chupeta's team. The result was a veritable massacre: 30-11. The stunner continued in the second quarter, and Flamengo went into the locker room leading by an incredible 48-18.

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With victory virtually assured, the red-and-blacks relaxed in the second half. The São Paulo team grew stronger and only then did they play the expected game. However, it was too late. The lead was reduced to just three points, and in the end, another red-and-black victory. The eleventh consecutive, 98-71. Marcelinho Machado, once again, led the way with 34 points. Hélio, with 16, and Teichmann, with 13, also stood out.

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Homage - The club's captain, Marcelinho, was honored by president Patricia Amorim during halftime. He received a plaque and a medal for his record individual scoring record in a match (63 points, scored against São José last week).

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"I'm very happy to be honored by the person who built this team, and who is now president of the club I love. It was a special moment," he said.