On the afternoon of last Thursday (20.03), with the presence of FIBA ​​Americas officials, coaches and players of the finalists – except Halcones –, Vice President of Olympic Sports Alexandre Póvoa, coach José Neto and player Marcelinho Machado participated in a press conference to present the Final Four of the League of the Americas. In the press room at Maracanãzinho, those present analyzed the new format of the competition and the growth of the tournament in the sports scene.

 

"It's an honor for us to be hosting the best basketball players in the Americas here in Rio de Janeiro. The competition has grown significantly in recent years. We've made a huge effort to bring them here. The club and the city are in a very exciting place right now; we're hosting the Olympics and the World Cup. We want to put on a great basketball celebration. The gymnasium is top-notch, and may the best team win on the court," said VP Alexandre Póvoa.

 

Neto recalled the importance of the finals for Fla, which, in addition to investing in a top team, joined forces with the red-black board to host the continental competition.

 

"It's incredibly important for us to be here. First, because it's an unprecedented feat for Flamengo to be playing in the Final Four. Without a doubt, when we secured a spot in the Liga das Américas, thanks to our NBB title, our main goal for the season was to go as far as possible in the Liga das Américas. The club invested heavily in this, assembled an excellent team, and our effort to host the Final Four was immense," said José Neto.

 

Marcelinho discussed the new format of the League of the Americas: previously, a four-team format where everyone faced off against everyone else, the Final Four has now been divided into semifinals and finals, each with single matches. The change means the champion is always the winner of the final match.

 

"This format has more of a decisive feel to it. I think you could win a major championship like this in the previous format after just one loss. It's even happened. When we have a decisive match, it's worth the title. It's fair, but I think the new format, for me as a player, is ideal," he explained.

 

Flamengo faces Aguada in the Final Four semi-final on Friday night (21.03), at 21:15 pm. Before the Rubro-Negro match, Pinheiros and Halcones face each other for a place in the final, at 19 pm.