A team coming off five intense days. Three games in a stretch, travel, the USA, Fortaleza, Brasília... Everything weighed heavily on the Arena Carioca 1 court this Wednesday night, in the match against Joinville. In the third round of the 2018-2019 NBB, Flamengo struggled, but defeated their rivals 76-75 with a basket by Davi with 54 seconds remaining. The result showed a very even match that was only decided at the end.

Did you know that you can be part of Flamengo's Olympic sports? Visit the new website, www.flamengo.com.br/anjo-da-guarda, check out the latest news and become a Flamengo Guardian Angel. For questions and more information, call (021) 3199-3502

Joinville, coming off a slower pace, took advantage and played a much better first half. But the halftime break made all the difference, and Flamengo came out on top in the third quarter, which was crucial to the victory. With 15 points, Deryk led the way in scoring, while Marquinhos (13), Mineiro (11), and Nesbitt (10) also broke double digits in scoring. The trio also grabbed seven rebounds each, crucial to holding off their opponents in the second half. 

Flamengo's start to the game wasn't good. Feeling fatigued from matches and travel, the team took a while to settle in and ended up seeing Joinville take the lead. With good three-point shooting, their rivals racked up points, also benefiting from strong performances by Vezarinho and Bambu, who each scored five points. With few shots attempted and poor shooting, Flamengo saw Joinville take a 10-point lead, 12-22. 

In the second quarter, Flamengo began to level the playing field, but still struggled with three-pointers from their rivals, which kept the Santa Catarina team ahead. But with Varejão and Deryk finding their feet, Flamengo was more offensive and efficient in the half. Varejão scored eight points and pushed the team, which won the quarter 26-25, closing the deficit to nine points at the end of the 10-minute period, at 38-47. 

A different Flamengo returned from the locker room. Mineiro, Marquinhos, and Deryk scored, and the team closed the deficit to two points in three minutes, preventing Joinville from scoring. With five minutes remaining, Marquinhos fired a three-pointer, tying the game. Joinville added two more points, and Balbi tied the game with three free throws. But there was no way out. With Deryk, Flamengo prevailed and never lost their grip. They steadily widened the gap, demonstrating that even with fatigue, the team knew how to overcome difficulties and found their feet on the court, eventually closing at 60-58. 

Flamengo experienced every possible emotion in the final quarter. They were ahead, saw Joinville come back, came back again, opened up a lead, lost, and suffered. But with 58 seconds remaining, Davi got the ball and shot from distance. The score was 76-75. Joinville had two opportunities, failed to score, and missed. Flamengo, with grit, secured their third consecutive victory in the NBB and now turns their focus to the South American League.