FlaBasquete confirmed their status as favorites and defeated Botafogo on Tuesday night at the Tijuca Tennis Club by a score of 73-69, maintaining their lead in the 2018 State Championship with a 100% winning record. The standout players of the match were Deryk Ramos with 14 points, Olivinha with 13 points and seven rebounds, and Marquinhos and Anderson Varejão, each with 11 points and six rebounds. Their next game, also for the Carioca Championship, will be on Saturday at 14 PM against Vasco da Gama at the Deodoro Olympic Arena. 

The first quarter began with Botafogo taking the lead, but Flamengo quickly tied the game with a goal from Marquinhos, who penetrated the defense after an assist from Varejão. With the defense working well and containing Botafogo's attacks, which were making many mistakes in the frontcourt, Flamengo extended their lead. Nesbitt scored, and Davi, with a three-pointer, added another comfortable margin. The strategy of shooting threes proved quite offensive. Rafael Mineiro tried and made (12-9), and Deryk also scored twice from long range. The number nine, in fact, had his GPS handy and found his position in the dead zone. From there, with 02:22 remaining, he made his third three-pointer of the quarter, making it 20-11 for Flamengo. With clear superiority, Flamengo managed the game and finished the first quarter ahead after a beautiful penetration by Balbi, at 23-16. 

As the first 10 minutes ended, the following ones began. Olivinha made a beautiful play and scored two more points, even drawing a foul, which he also converted (26-16). Without letting the level drop, Flamengo maintained a strong offensive rhythm and increased the difference over time. The Flamengo game exchanged passes quickly, always looking for the best position for a long-range shot, confusing the Botafogo defense. The shots didn't fall as efficiently as in the first quarter, but the defense worked very well, with Botafogo scoring only 11 points. With fewer three-point shots, but with better efficiency on two-pointers and free throws, Flamengo closed the first quarter with 42 to 32, remaining in control of the game. 

In the second half, Varejão once again showed his new facet on the team. With a three-pointer, he made it 45-32 and brought the crowd to its feet. The number 17 returned even more inspired and scored two more points for Flamengo, increasing their lead. Long-range shots returned, but the ball stubbornly refused to fall. However, with great speed and superiority in the paint, Flamengo won both defensive and offensive rebounds, always maintaining a lead of at least 10 points, until the final score of 56-46. 

The final part of the game confirmed the victory. Olivinha opened the scoring, Deryk extended the lead, and the same number nine scored a three-pointer, raising the Tijuca gymnasium to its feet and making it 63-48. However, the team faltered, and Botafogo caught up. The advantage was reduced to three points (69-66) with two minutes remaining. Balbi, on another drive, scored two more, extending the lead to five. In the final minutes, the home team held off Botafogo's momentum, regained control of the game, and closed out the match with another victory, 73-69. 

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.