With each game, the rivalry intensifies. Since the semifinals of the 2009 Novo Basquete Brasil, Flamengo and Joinville have been playing very close matches, creating a special atmosphere every time the teams face off. Last Friday was no different. At the HSBC Arena, the team from Gávea fell behind on the scoreboard but rallied and managed to finish the game with another victory over the Santa Catarina team, 100-87.

The result was celebrated by shooting guard Duda, who was one of the night's standouts, scoring 25 points. The number 10 said that, despite knowing about the rivalry and some controversies that arose in the duels between Flamengo and Joinville, the team took the field with their heads on straight, and this was crucial to the victory.

"It's a good rivalry, which unfortunately isn't always healthy, but we knew we couldn't go into it with that in mind. We had to treat this game like just another Brazilian league game, and that's what we did," he revealed.

Duda also celebrated the team's lead over Joinville in the standings. Flamengo also closed in on Brasília, which was defeated by Franca. Flamengo now only has a two-point lead over Joinville in the standings: 30 to 28.

"Joinville is a direct opponent, and it was a very welcome victory, especially since we lost to them in the first round. But we considered this game a turning point. We hadn't played in three weeks, we only played one training session, but the team performed well and got this result, which was very important, because now we have the advantage of the goal difference in the event of a possible draw with Joinville," he explained.

Flamengo returns to the court this Sunday, at the same HSBC Arena, to face Londrina, at 11 am.