No one doubted it would be a great game. Flamengo and Mogi have a long-standing rivalry, and the match had no clear favorites. A final-second decision was more than predictable. And this Saturday, in the NNB match at the Hugo Ramos gymnasium, it was no different. Flamengo prevailed in the final, 75-72, with the jersey weighing heavily on the court, with Varejão scoring his first double-double in the jersey and proving crucial in the final minute, with Cubillán scoring 20 points, and with the crowd against him, packing the venue, but leaving convinced that FlaBasquete is and always will be a giant on the court. 

After three matches in São Paulo and three wins, Mengão now returns to Rio, where they will play next Monday against rival Botafogo at Arena Carioca 1, playing at home, meaning they won't be playing in Rio. There are only three games left in the first phase, and Flamengo is looking to take the lead. 

As expected, the first quarter began with back-and-forth points. Flamengo and Mogi played a tightly contested 10 minutes, with Flamengo having the better of the game, taking an 08-02 lead but letting the home team react. With Larry and Tyrone playing well, Mogi tied the game but couldn't break through. Cubillán was the red-and-black's main weapon, keeping Flamengo in the game with two three-pointers in quick succession. In the end, it was 15-15 and the promise of a more even match. 

With Pecos, Rhett, and Marcelinho on the court in the second quarter, Flamengo maintained its offensive play in the paint. Few shots were successful from outside the box, and their largest lead in the half was four points (26-22), but Mogi turned the game around and Neto called a timeout. The score remained the same, and Flamengo continued to press. 

The aim that was missing in the second quarter came early in the third, with Marquinhos, free-flowing, scoring five points straight away. Ramon and Olivinha were also important, and the team took off, opening up a six-point lead, forcing Guerrinha to take a timeout. On the return leg, Mogi found its feet and tied the game again. Cubillán stepped up and, with two precise attacks, opened up a five-point lead again. However, three consecutive missed runs ended the lead, but not enough to prevent the red-and-black team from winning the first half, 55-54. 

In the final quarter, the game heated up. Both teams battled point after point for the advantage, always inside the paint. Three-pointers weren't Flamengo's and Mogi's preferred weapons, as they opted to invade and score with safety balls. And such a tight match could only be decided at the end. And it was with Anderson Varejão. The giant scored the final four points, opening a three-point lead, and closing the score. Mogi still had the final ball, but the red-and-black defense performed perfectly, and the victory came. 

The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.