Another challenge begins this Monday for Flamengo's basketball team. Coach Paulo Chupeta's team, the current South American champion, two-time Brazilian champion, and five-time state champion, debuts in the 2009/2010 edition of the Liga das Américas, the only tournament they have competed in in the last three years, but failed to win. The mission won't be easy. Without Marcelinho Machado on the court, the team left for Venezuela on Saturday, where they will face three strong opponents in Group B of the competition.

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All of Flamengo's matches will be broadcast live on SporTV. Flamengo's official website team prepared an analysis of each of Mengão's rivals in the league. The Gávea team is alongside Capitanes de Arecibo from Puerto Rico, Halcones Rojos from Mexico, and Espartanos from Margarita Island, Venezuela. Aware of the difficulties his team will face, coach Paulo Chupeta commented on the challenge.

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"We have to be prepared. These are teams that play differently. The Mexican team is more individualistic, for example, while the Venezuelan team has a more aggressive game. They're different from the Argentine teams, which pace their play more and spend more time with the ball. They're teams that play and let others play," he said.

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Captains of Arecibo – Flamengo's first opponents in the Liga de las Américas have a very strong squad that could give coach Paulo Chupeta's team a tough time. The Puerto Rican team's standout performer is Bonzi Wells, a 1.96-foot-10 winger who had notable stints in the NBA during his 2008 years with the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets. However, his "bad boy" behavior led to his contract not being renewed in the 2009-XNUMX season, and he ended up in China.

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The team also features Larry Ayuso, a 1.90'3" forward with a powerful 14-point shot. He is one of the great heroes of the Puerto Rican national team. He has extensive international experience, having played basketball in Greece, Russia, and Croatia. He also tried his luck in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets, but had little success in the league. The match between Flamengo and Capitanes kicks off the Group B tournament, hosted on Margarita Island, Venezuela. The teams face off next Monday, the 20th, at 30:XNUMX pm, with live coverage on SporTV.

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Red Hawks – It's a very physically powerful team, whose highlight is its aerial game. Its roster includes North American players Lawrence Hill, a 2.03'1.98" power forward and a Stanford graduate of the NCAA; Daimon Gooner, a 2.05'2.05" power forward who is one of the team's key offensive weapons and leaders; Jeffrion Aubrey, a 20'30" center with experience in Argentina and Uruguay, who is familiar with the South American basketball school; and Edner Elisma, a XNUMX'XNUMX" center and Georgia Tech University graduate, a very physically powerful player and one of the team's leading rebounders. The Mexicans will face Flamengo in the second game of the League, on Wednesday at XNUMX:XNUMX pm. SporTV will also broadcast the match.

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Margarita's Spartans – With a suggestive name, a tribute to the people of Sparta, Greece, known for their warrior heritage, this team is the home team and Flamengo's final opponent in the group stage. The team's star player is power forward/center Hector Romero, a starter for the Venezuelan national team. At 2.02'XNUMX" tall and very strong, he's capable of playing as a penetrating forward or a power forward. He's recognized for his incredible dunks. He's a player with experience in Italy and Spain.

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Margarita also boasts Richard Lugo, a 2.09'22" center who is a strong presence in the paint. He spent many years representing the Venezuelan national team and will be another experienced player in the Espartanos' squad, whose greatest strength is their play in the paint. Flamengo faces the Venezuelan team on Wednesday at 40:XNUMX PM, broadcast on SporTV, in the final group game.