A night of historic and electrifying basketball victory, with qualification for the Super 8 Cup final. This was FlaBasquete's triumph on a rainy Wednesday night (31) in Rio de Janeiro. Those who braved the adverse weather to go to Maracanãzinho were treated to a great game. The Pride of the Nation had a show by Gui Deodato and a last-second triple basket by Didi to beat Paulistano 83-82.

Last Sunday (28), against Bauru, in the quarterfinals, Gabriel Jaú reached 31 points converted, breaking the record of points of his career and equaling the highest score of a player in a match in the history of the competition until then. Tonight, Gui Deodato already set a new record: 34 points in a Super 8 Cup game; the number 1's personal record is 39 points in a single match.

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Highlights

Points - Deodato (34), Balbi (10), Didi (9), Scott Machado (9)

Rebounds - Jaú (7), Olivinha (6), Filipovity (5), Deodato (5)

Assists - Balbi (5), Didi (2)

The game

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with plenty of action and high-octane play from both teams. Paulistano opened the scoring, and Gui Deodato led the team back into the lead with two three-pointers (6-5). Flamengo regained the lead, but Flamengo kept pushing, highlighted by a superb block from Deodato and strong attacking plays led by the number 1 and maestro Franco Balbi. The period ended with the score at 22-20 for Flamengo.

Upon returning to the court for the second period, Jaú and Didi opened up a 4-0 lead for Orgulho da Nação, forcing Paulistano to call a timeout. Filipovity, Olivinha—at the free throw line—and Balbi also scored points to extend their lead. With four minutes remaining in the half, FlaBasquete led 32-26. But their biggest advantage came at the end of the quarter, which ended 40-30 for the home team.

Maique opened the scoring for Flamengo in the third half, but Paulistano fought back and took the lead in the first half. The game became tighter in the third period, with the opponent's advantage outpacing them, who finished the quarter ahead, but the Rubro-Negro held on to the lead: 56-49. Deodato, who was two points shy of breaking the Super 8 record for a scoring goal, left the match for a few minutes, but returned in style in the final period to reach the historic mark: 32 points in the match with less than a minute of play. 

The final quarter was very eventful, like the first, but with Paulistano leading the offensive play. Flamengo held on to the victory until the final moments, but trailed in the first half. Deodato extended his record, and Scott Machado came off the bench with good aim, but in the final minute, the game became tense: Paulistano took the lead overall (78-79) with 40 seconds remaining.

Gustavo De Conti called a timeout, and on the return, Gabriel Jaú was fouled and converted both free throws, putting the Red-Blacks back in front (80-79) with 28 seconds remaining. With just nine seconds remaining, Paulistano's Crescenzi hit a perimeter shot that took the breath away from the Red-Black fans (80-82). But there was still time for a comeback. Didi took the decisive shot, also from three, giving the game its final score and unleashing a victory cry from the Red-Black Nation. There was a lot of excitement on the court and in the stands, and their passports were sealed for the big final against Unifacisa.

Next challenge

Now, the team led by Gustavo De Conti will compete for its third Super 8 Cup trophy, against Unifacisa, next Saturday at 17:10 pm, at Maracanãzinho. In the NBB, the next game will be against Botafogo, in the derby at General Severiano, on February 6th at 20 pm.

Starting Quintet

Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Gabriel Jaú, Maique and Olivinha.

Coach: Gustavo De Conti.