BuzzFla - Reasons to believe in FlaBasquete today
The Pride of the Nation seeks a historic turnaround. And we offer some reasons to believe it's quite possible.
By Lucas Dantas - inBelieve. You have to believe. FlaBasquete has faced worse situations before and turned them around. This is just the latest. Just like in 2016, we're facing Game 4 of the Novo Basquete Brasil semifinals, against the same rival, on the same court. This Saturday, at 14 p.m., the orange ball will go up to rewrite this history. The game will be broadcast on Band and Sportv, in addition to full coverage on our social media (@timeflamengo on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook).
Is it difficult? Yes. But below we've outlined some reasons to believe in a draw and a comeback. Check it out!
1. About the game
This Flamengo vs. Mogi (they're the home team, but we own the site, so we'll put it as we see fit) will be the sixth matchup this season. In the qualifying round, the teams faced each other twice, with Mengão winning both times. In the first round, the matchup was at Arena Carioca 1, with the final score being 77-71 for the Mais Querido. It was a night when JP Batista, Ramon, and Marquinhos combined for 63 points and were essential in the victory.
On their home turf, in the second leg, another victory. And as always there: hard-fought and painful. The decisive moment came in the final minutes, with Anderson Varejão scoring two points after being fouled with 11 seconds remaining. Mogi went for the final attack, and Shamell missed the three-pointer. Jimmy also missed the rebound, and the battle was over. A crucial victory that secured Mengão's second place in the standings, at least for now.
In total, Flamengo and Mogi have faced each other 24 times in the history of the NBB, with the red-and-black team having a clear advantage. They have 18 wins and six losses.
2. Is it a cauldron?
Yes, Professor Hugo Ramos is one of the most traditional arenas in the NBB, boasting a fanatical fan base. But playing in front of a fanatical crowd is part of Flamengo's DNA, and that's never been a major problem for the Pride of the Nation. In total, the teams have met 11 times in Mogi, with eight of our victories. Almost always, the scores were close, except last season, when Marquinhos and Olivinha were so unbalanced that the 83-57 scoreline was the most unusual of the entire duel. But the record is favorable, and there's nothing to fear on that court.
3. It's the movie again.
In the 15/16 season, the teams entered the fourth meeting identically. They had two wins, we had one. Everything has been said about Marquinhos's spectacular block at the end. But the one who shone in that match was Ronald Ramon, who scored 27 points and converted all three-pointers he attempted (seven). And there was also a double-double from Olivinha, to keep the tradition going. The power forward scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
A 93-91 victory there, a 79-75 victory here, and a spot in the final. Remember what that night was like in Tijuca? FlaTV recaps it.
4. Marcelinho
In his final season, Marcelinho has been coming off the bench for special moments on the court. Against Franca, he led all scorers with 20 points, the difference in the 86-66 final score. A great game for C4pitão.
But his standout performance came in the derby against Vasco in the first round. He scored 22 points, again a top scorer, and delivered a masterclass in three-point shooting and rebounding. Encouraged by the home crowd that filled the Arena for the "new home" debut, Marcelinho showed that derbys are played with the stars. Want to relive the idol's points from the match? FlaTV shares them all below.
5. We've already become three
Flamengo's comebacks in the semifinals aren't unprecedented. Three times, the Pride of the Nation has defeated its opponents after falling behind. The first was in 2010, against Franca. They won the first game at home (82-90), but couldn't hold out in Rio de Janeiro, where we turned the series around (101-73 and 80-73). In the third game, in São Paulo, we won again (86-85) and advanced.
The second was in the 12/13 season, against São José. After losing the opening match 72-80, Flamengo won 100-84 and 106-86 at home. Again in São José, they won 96-88, and the decision came in the fifth game, in Rio. Mengão won 88-76 and secured a spot in the final.
The last comeback was the epic one against Mogi itself, in 2016. We already talked about it above, but here we remember Marquinhos' spectacular block at the end, which guaranteed the 93-91 victory and the return of the competition to Rio.
6. Marcus Vinicius (Player)
Marquinhos is flying this season. Stunning performances, one after the other. He's already at 616 points this season, his fourth-best mark, but there's room for improvement, as if Flamengo wins, they'll have at least one more game. With 117 assists, he's already reached his third-best mark in the NBB. The number 11 is in great form and leads the scoring charts this season with an average of 18.1 points. And it's no wonder. For Flamengo, he finished as the "hand of the match" 17 times. His biggest game came against Liga Sorocabana, when he scored 22 points. He had threes, twos, dunks, and fly balls... Marquinhos has been a smash this season, and he still has more to come.
7. Double-double open bar
Olivinha is going to play. And Olivinha is hungry. With over 100 double-doubles in the NBB (an all-time record), the power forward notched another in the last match against Mogi, with 20 points and 13 rebounds. And he's not stopping. This is the kind of game Olivinha enjoys and wants to play. And he's confident of victory. Check out what the number 16 had to say about the matchup.
"If we're going to talk about pressure in Game 4, I think Mogi will feel it the most. They're at home, with the fans by their side. I'm sure the gym will be full, and this is their second chance to close out the series. Our team is doing very well, we're well-coordinated, and I'm sure the nation will also show up in force here in Mogi, and we'll force the decision at our home, at the Arena. That's the spirit, and we'll do everything we can to get this victory."
This season, he reached 200 games for FlaBasquete. For those who missed it, check out the great chat Olivinha had with FlaTV. Those who saw it can watch it again.
8. José Neto
He's "only" the most successful coach in NBB history. With 205 wins, Neto leads the list precisely over Mogi's coach, Guerrinha, who has 203. However, Neto has 51 fewer games than his opponent in the competition's history. Neto knows the ropes of a semifinal. He's never lost with Flamengo. Since 2012, playing for Mais Querido, he's won four of his five appearances. The only time he didn't win, he was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Extremely studious, Neto analyzes every detail of his opponent and seeks solutions to win in the final plays. His off-court vision will certainly help Flamengo in this competition.
9. The Holy Mantle
Do I really need to explain?
#TemQueAcreditar #vamosVirarMengo
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.