In a very tough match at Arena Carioca 1, Flamengo defeated Basquete Cearense on Sunday morning (25) by 87x85 and achieved another victory in the NBB Caixa. The Pride of the Nation remains in second place in the table with one round remaining in the classification phase and already with a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinal playoffs. The match paid tribute to José Neto (record holder for victories in the history of the NBB), to JP Batista's 100 games (completed against Botafogo) and a great performance by captain Marcelinho in the final quarter.

Highlights

Marquinhos - 20 points
Anderson Varejão - 09 rebounds
Marcelinho - 05 assists

1st bedroom

The first ten minutes of the game were intensely defended, with limited space, and a point-by-point battle. While Orgulho da Nação (the Pride of the Nation) was chasing the NBB lead, Basquete Cearense (Ceará Basketball) was still dreaming of a better position in the qualifying round, heading into the playoffs. This complicated the match, forcing José Neto to rotate the team early in search of alternatives. With the match evenly matched, the quarter ended with the opponent's partial advantage: 19-21.

2st bedroom

The second period began with JP Bastista dominating the paint and scoring four consecutive points. And so, with the number 13's momentum in the game, Mengão continued to fight for the lead on every possession. With 4:15 remaining in the quarter, Arthur Pecos made a beautiful steal and tied the score at 32-32. On the next play, after an offensive foul by the opponent, JP converted two free throws: 34-32. Pecos, again, 36-32. And two by two, the lead grew, reaching six points with just over three minutes remaining. Maintaining this pace until the end, the halftime break ended with Mengão ahead: 46-41.

3st bedroom

The balanced tone and alternating lead on the scoreboard returned in the third quarter. With the initial advantage, the red-and-black quintet tried to maintain the momentum, but Ceará's comeback was incisive and made things very difficult. The opponent won the quarter (17-22) and left the game tied at 63 points. The final ten minutes were decisive.

4st bedroom

After 30 evenly matched minutes, the final, decisive quarter was no different. The teams fought fiercely for space, the marking became even tighter, and with just over five minutes remaining, the match remained tied. With Pecos, Marcelinho, Ramon, Marquinhos, and Varejão on the court, the Pride of the Nation maintained the lead, but by a narrow margin. The captain and number 4 of the red-and-black team began to solidify the victory with his precise three-pointers. Marquinhos and his customary opportunism also showed that, despite the hardship, victory would come. And it was Mengão: 87-85.


And now?

The Pride of the Nation has one more game in the NBB Caixa qualifying phase. It will be next Tuesday (27), 19:30 pm, at Arena Carioca 1, against Vitória. If they win and Paulistano loses their game, Flamengo will finish the qualifying phase at the top of the table.


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.