With the final games of the regular season approaching, FlaBasquete is consolidating its collective performance. On Monday night (27/03), Orgulho da Nação hosted São José at Tijuca Tênis Clube and secured another victory in the competition.

Highlights

Vildoza – 19 points, +/- 15 and efficiency 19 

Cuello – 19 points, +/- 18 and efficiency 23 

Mineiro – 15 points, +/- 21 and efficiency 22

The game 

Despite trailing in the opening minutes of the match, Flamengo closed the gap with baskets from Ricardo Fischer, Loku Cuello, and Rafael Mineiro. With a two-pointer from Vildoza, Flamengo turned the game around in the seventh minute. The first quarter remained evenly matched, with both teams alternating the lead. With a little over a minute remaining, the home team secured the lead and opened up a lead, finishing the quarter 27-19 for Mengão. 

The second quarter began with the same tone, with both teams evenly matched in scoring. When São José threatened a comeback, Martínez and Jaú hit baskets and regained the lead. With a beautiful basket from Loku Cuello from the dead zone, São José reached 42 points, while São José had 34. And in the final seconds, Gabriel Jaú dunked, scoring two more points, and thus ending the first half 46-36 for Flamengo. 

São José opened the scoring in the second half, but Luke Martínez, with ease, hit his second three-pointer of the match. Flamengo began to control the match with alternating baskets. Rafael Mineiro converted the number 12's third three-pointer of the game. And with six three-pointers in the third quarter alone, Flamengo opened up a large lead. In the end, they were 17 points ahead of the home team. 

As the final quarter approached, Flamengo continued to build on their lead. Cuello fired a three-pointer, sending the red-and-black team past 80 points. The Luke-Loku duo worked hard, providing assists and baskets in the final period. The Argentine, wearing the number 44 jersey, scored eight points in the final period. With young players Gueiros and Emanuel on the court late in the match, Mengão closed out the lead at 96-68.

Starting Quintet 

Fischer, Penka Aguirre, Loku Cuello, Gabriel Jaú and Mineiro

Coach: Gustavo De Conti 

Next appointment 

FlaBasquete takes to the court on Saturday (01), to face São Paulo, at Tijuca Tênis Clube. The game is valid for the 29th round of the New Basketball Brazil (NBB).