On Saturday night (29.03), Flamengo showed why they are in an excellent phase this season. Even though they qualified, in advance and in first place, for the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) playoffs, the team faced Franca with total seriousness, in a match that did not need the result, and won, in overtime, by 92 to 89. The team's highlights were the top scorer Marcelinho, with 20 points, Gegê, with five assists, and Olivinha, with seven rebounds.

The first quarter started off tough for Fla. Franca was dominating the match until, with two minutes remaining, Gegê and Marcelinho hit back-to-back three-pointers, before a dunk by Marquinhos. With eight consecutive points, Fla closed the gap, which showed 17-16. The quarter ended with a small Franca lead: 20-18. In the second quarter, the game continued back and forth. With the score at 26-25 for Franca, Washam's alley-oop to Meyinsse turned the game to 27-25 for Fla. With three minutes remaining, Fla took its biggest lead of the match so far, six points, after two free throws made by Gegê: 36-30. By the end of the quarter, the lead had increased to seven points and Rubro-Negro went into halftime winning 44 to 37. Washam was Mais Querido's top scorer in the first half, with 12 points out of 17 attempts, a 70.6% success rate. 

Midway through the third quarter, with three-pointers falling from both teams, the game became even again. Flamengo's 56th point came on a beautiful play by Olivinha, who drove in and, off balance, used the backboard to score. The power forward was one of the standout performers of the second half, with 11 points. Marquinhos and Gegê were the team's top scorers, each with five assists. With just seconds remaining, the teams went from point to point—and time to time—to seek victory, but were unable to avoid overtime.

In overtime, the match remained evenly matched. With 25 seconds remaining, Flamengo took a two-point lead with a basket and a bonus foul, which Meyinsse converted into another point. Marcelinho was fouled and converted both free throws, making the score 92-88 for Flamengo. The referee then called a foul on Flamengo on a three-pointer by Basden: three more free throws and a thrilling match. But Basden missed his first two shots, and the victory went to the championship leader. 

Having qualified for the playoffs since their match against Uberlândia last Thursday (March 27.03), Flamengo took the court without needing a result, but never gave up on victory. "It was a very tough game, but our team stayed focused and managed a hard-fought victory in overtime. This shows that our team wants much more and is working hard. When we step onto the court, we always come to win, no matter if we're already in first place. We still have three games left, and we're going for three more wins to head into the playoffs with confidence," said power forward Olivinha.