With 16 assists from Balbi, Flamengo beats Caxias do Sul at Maracanãzinho
Brandon Robinson was the top scorer of the match, which was also marked by the return of Olivinha
By Helena Petry - inBack in the NBB, FlaBasquete took to the court this Tuesday (25) for the first match of the second round of the championship's classification phase. Against Caxias do Sul, Orgulho da Nação secured a score of 90 to 55 on a gala night hosted by Franco Balbi. The Argentine finished the match with 16 assists, 6 rebounds, 34 +- and 25 efficiency, in addition to 6 points. Brandon Robinson, with 22, was the top scorer of the game, which marked the return of captain Olivinha after COVID-19.
The game
Coach Gustavo De Conti started the match with Franco Balbi, Brandon Robinson, Rafael Mineiro, Olivinha, and JP Batista on the court. Olivinha opened the scoring for Mengão with a shot from outside the paint, followed by Batista, who scored two more points and put Flamengo ahead (2-5). Robinson and Mineiro, in perfect form, took turns finishing and were responsible for the Mais Querido's next 3 points. Dar Tucker came in and converted from distance, and then from close range, on a layup, with an assist from Luke Martinez, before the end of the first quarter: 20-30.
Faverani and Robinson opened up another five points, and Martinez shone with a stunning block. Caxias tried to rally, but Dar Tucker, Mineiro, and Rafael Rachel, who came off the bench to score from 3, scored again, while Caxias stalled. The teams went into halftime with a 49-16 lead. Brandon Robinson, with 15 points, led Mais Querido in the first half, and Franco Balbi led the way in assists, with nine of the team's 17.
Once again, the American and Vitor Faverani opened the scoring in the fourth, followed by Rafael Rachel, and a combination play between Robinson and Faverani, with an assist from the forward and a basket from the center (57-19). Caxias fought back, reaching 32 points, and Dar Tucker stopped the opponent with a shot from outside the paint. Olivinha, returning from COVID-19 and already with seven rebounds in the game, converted for the first time in the game. Tucker scored again, and the third quarter ended with a 67-38 score.
With a strong performance that night, Rafael Rachel gave Flamengo 70 points early in the fourth quarter. Faverani scored, got two points, and the foul gave him five more (2-75). Unbalanced, Robinson still added two more (40-77). With 48 assists, Balbi scored from distance, as did the American shortly after (16-83). Dar Tucker, with free throws, Matheus Leoni, with a stepback, and Lucas Martinez, with a beautiful 53-pointer, completed Mengão's 3 points in the match.
Point guard Yago tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the match against Caxias do Sul. "Monstrinho" is asymptomatic and in quarantine.
next challenges
Mengão returns to play in the NBB on February 3rd, against Pato Basquete, away from home. Before that, the team travels to Buenos Aires, where they will play the second window of the Champions League Americas next weekend. On Saturday (29), the opponent is Universidad Concépcion, from Chile, at 19 pm, while on Sunday (30), FlaBasquete faces Boca Jrs, the home team, at the same time. ESPN will broadcast both matches.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, MOSS, 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).