In a thrilling match, FlaBasquete beats São Paulo 96-93 and opens the final series with a victory
Yago was the star of the match with 25 points and a decisive basket in the last second
By Roberta Pinto - inIn the first game of the NBB finals, FlaBasquete had another great collective performance and beat São Paulo 96-93 in a closely contested match on Saturday afternoon (22), at the Maracanãzinho gymnasium. The highlight was point guard Yago with 25 points and seven assists, being a key player in the red-black triumph.
The game
Flamengo's first two points came on a play by Marquinhos at the edge of the paint. The match started evenly, with the opposing defense forcing the Red-Blacks into mistakes. In the decisive part of the quarter, however, the "Mais Querido" managed to get their hands on the ball and the defense right, closing the period with a beautiful three-point play by Yago, which left the team just one point behind: 24-25.
Early in the second quarter, Flamengo's defense didn't perform as expected, and São Paulo opened up an eight-point lead. That's when coach Gustavo De Conti called a timeout and adjusted the team's positioning. Hettsheimeir was precise at the crucial moment of the quarter, and with two free throws from Marquinhos, Flamengo went into the locker room trailing 42-46.
After halftime, the Pride of the Nation returned at full steam. With an excellent performance, the team won the period 30-20. Marquinhos was the standout with 13 points. The team, in addition to stellar defense, was also accurate on the rebounds. In a very consistent quarter, the red-and-black team managed to gain a six-point lead on the scoreboard: 72-66.
In the final period, Orgulho da Nação continued to impose its rhythm and further widen the lead. Yago scored the first two points of the period and then added another three. The Flamengo point guard dictated the pace, distributed the plays well, and provided a beautiful assist for Lucas Martinez to score a three. At the end of the period, however, the São Paulo team fought back and, with seven seconds remaining, tied the score at 93-93. But the Monstrinho star shone. He decided the match with a spectacular three-pointer that gave Flamengo the victory. FlaBasquete took the lead in the best-of-five series and won the match 96-93.
Highlights
Yago – 25 points and 7 assists;
Marquinhos – 17 points;
Hettsheimeir – 15 points.
Martinez – 14 points
Next appointment
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court on Monday (24), at 20 pm, to face São Paulo again, at Maracanãzinho, for the second game of the NBB finals.
Starting Quintet
Yago, Lucas Martinez, Marquinhos, Olivinha and Rafael Mineiro.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, MOSS, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).