It couldn't have been better. Anderson Varejão's performance for over two thousand people at the Arena, an increasingly solid lead, a slam dunk show, alley-oops, double-doubles, and an undisputed 107-54 victory over Botafogo. It couldn't get any better. Flamengo closed the first round of the NBB 10 tournament as the team with 26 points and an 85.7% success rate. Now, the Mais Querido is preparing for another classic against Vasco, next Saturday (27), at Arena Carioca 1. Vasco will be home-court hosts, with a single fan base.
Highlighting just one player would be unfair to the team, which put in a superb performance. But we can't forget to mention Marquinhos with 25 points, Ramon with 21, JP Batista with 15 points and 12 rebounds, Cubillan also with 15 points and five assists, Olivinha with 13 points, and MJ Rhett with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Along with individual highlights, the team's overall performance across several fundamentals was above average. JP Batista and MJ Rhett, increasingly in sync, grabbed 20 rebounds. Ramon and Cubillan combined for five three-pointers each. The Venezuelan also dished out 12 assists, an NBB record. The team also shot 56,7% from three, making 17 of 30. And on free throws, they missed only two of 24 attempts. All these factors contributed to the team's seventh straight win and maintaining a 100% record at home, the only team to achieve this feat so far.
From the first quarter, it was clear that the game would go Flamengo's way. With three-pointers from Cubillan (three) and Marquinhos (two), the team opened up enough space to pull away from Botafogo early on. Their rivals struggled to attack and finish, facing a defense that grabbed 11 defensive rebounds. Botafogo was a worthy opponent, but the final margin of 17 points (27 to 10) showed how the game would play out.
The second quarter followed suit. The three-pointers continued to fall, but MJ Rhett made the difference inside the paint. With five rebounds, the foreigner was the rivals' terror. Ramon, shooting over 75% from the field, contributed significantly to the 34 points scored in the half. Flamengo didn't let Botafogo play. With a impeccable collective performance and precise attack, the lead only grew until it closed at 61-25.
The second half revealed a different Flamengo. While the scoring from three-pointers wasn't impressive, it was a different story in the paint. Marquinhos and JP Batista didn't face many challenges against their opponents, while Ramon continued to score. Cubillan distributed the ball well, with four assists and a few alley-oops. Flamengo wanted more and put on a show for the fans at the Arena. Always striving to maintain a 17-point lead, they finished the half with an incredible 86-38, a significant margin for a classic.
And in the final quarter, nothing but consecration. Flamengo dominated the match and continued to play as they wanted, against a valiant opponent, but one that had little choice in the matter against such technical superiority. The final score of 107-54 only highlighted the utter disparity of the match.
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.
Highlighting just one player would be unfair to the team, which put in a superb performance. But we can't forget to mention Marquinhos with 25 points, Ramon with 21, JP Batista with 15 points and 12 rebounds, Cubillan also with 15 points and five assists, Olivinha with 13 points, and MJ Rhett with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Along with individual highlights, the team's overall performance across several fundamentals was above average. JP Batista and MJ Rhett, increasingly in sync, grabbed 20 rebounds. Ramon and Cubillan combined for five three-pointers each. The Venezuelan also dished out 12 assists, an NBB record. The team also shot 56,7% from three, making 17 of 30. And on free throws, they missed only two of 24 attempts. All these factors contributed to the team's seventh straight win and maintaining a 100% record at home, the only team to achieve this feat so far.
From the first quarter, it was clear that the game would go Flamengo's way. With three-pointers from Cubillan (three) and Marquinhos (two), the team opened up enough space to pull away from Botafogo early on. Their rivals struggled to attack and finish, facing a defense that grabbed 11 defensive rebounds. Botafogo was a worthy opponent, but the final margin of 17 points (27 to 10) showed how the game would play out.
The second quarter followed suit. The three-pointers continued to fall, but MJ Rhett made the difference inside the paint. With five rebounds, the foreigner was the rivals' terror. Ramon, shooting over 75% from the field, contributed significantly to the 34 points scored in the half. Flamengo didn't let Botafogo play. With a impeccable collective performance and precise attack, the lead only grew until it closed at 61-25.
The second half revealed a different Flamengo. While the scoring from three-pointers wasn't impressive, it was a different story in the paint. Marquinhos and JP Batista didn't face many challenges against their opponents, while Ramon continued to score. Cubillan distributed the ball well, with four assists and a few alley-oops. Flamengo wanted more and put on a show for the fans at the Arena. Always striving to maintain a 17-point lead, they finished the half with an incredible 86-38, a significant margin for a classic.
And in the final quarter, nothing but consecration. Flamengo dominated the match and continued to play as they wanted, against a valiant opponent, but one that had little choice in the matter against such technical superiority. The final score of 107-54 only highlighted the utter disparity of the match.
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.