Decision in sight! Flamengo beat São Paulo 74-70 in the Super 8 Cup semifinal on Wednesday night (25) and is qualified to compete for the tournament title. The opponent in the final will be Franca, winner of the duel against Corinthians, which took place just before the Rubro-Negro's match.

Having qualified with the best campaign in the New Basketball Brazil (NBB), Franca will be the home team in the big decision, scheduled for Saturday (28).

Tickets to support FlaBasquete in home games are always on sale at flamengo.superingresso.com.br - keep an eye out and secure your spot in the next matches!

Highlights

Points – Deodato (20), Vildoza (17), Cuello (17)

Rebounds – Jaú (7), Vildoza (6), Cuello (6)

Assists – Cuello (3), Vildoza (3), Hettsheimeir (1)

The game

To the tune of the Nation, who were singing loudly in the gym, the team started the match with a bang. Leading 16-5 as the clock ticked halfway through the first quarter, Mengão set the pace, counting on two beautiful three-pointers from Hettsheimeir and Vildoza. The opponent's response also came from the perimeter, with Betinho and Marquinhos. Following this, Rafael Mineiro scored a block and a dunk that brought the fans' screams to their throats. The quarter ended 18-13 for the Mais Querido.

In the second quarter, São Paulo started better and tied the score after two minutes (18-18) – but stalled at 18 points until 1:30 remained in the second quarter. A beautiful skill move by Vildoza, followed by a breathtaking perimeter shot by Gui Deodato, gave Flamengo a nine-point lead with five minutes remaining in the half. The opponent chased back, pulled one back, and the teams went into the locker room with the score at 29-24.

Two triples from Gabriel Jaú - who also scored three points in the eyebrow after a collision with a São Paulo player in the first half - and Gui Deodato, one of the standout players of the match, gave Mengão a large 35-24 lead in the first minutes of the third quarter. The advantage reached 16 points (44-28), but the opponent mounted a great comeback: the period ended with Orgulho da Nação leading 50-44, and in the final quarter, São Paulo took the lead with six minutes remaining. 

That's when the fans really took to the court: chanting loudly, the Sixth Player made the difference and renewed the team's energy on the court, which responded with shots in the basket and plenty of excitement. Rubro-Negro's leading scorer Gui Deodato was decisive, as were Argentina's Vildoza and Cuello, with crucial baskets in the final moments. 

Biggest Super 8 champion

FlaBasquete has lifted the trophy in two editions of the Super 8, being the club that has won the tournament the most. In 2018, they qualified in first place in the table, beating Minas in the quarterfinals (92 x 74), Botafogo in the semifinals (99 x 88) and Franca in the final (79 x 75). In 2021, they qualified in second place and beat Franca in the quarterfinals (90 x 79), Bauru in the semifinals (72 x 65) and São Paulo in the final (79 x 71).

Campaign

Flamengo qualified for this edition of the Super 8 Cup by finishing second in the first round of the NBB, with a record of 14 wins and two losses.

Before today's victory over São Paulo, the Mais Querido debuted against Paulistano at Tijuca Tênis Clube in the quarterfinals. In a thrilling match, with a stellar performance by Jose Vildoza, the team won 71-65.

Match history

Flamengo and São Paulo have faced each other nine times in NBB history. Mengão was undefeated in seven matches – now eight in 10 duels. The teams previously met in a Super 8 final in 2021: with a stunning comeback in the final period, Mengão won the match and claimed their second championship. The match also formed an NBB final in the 2020/2021 season, when the Rubro-Negro won 3-0 in a thrilling best-of-five series.

Starting Quintet

Vildoza, Gui Deodato, Loku Cuello, Gabriel Jaú and Hettsheimeir

Coach: Gustavo De Conti

Next appointment

With the victory, the team is qualified to play in the Super 8 final against Franca, at the opponent's home, which has a better campaign and finished in first place in the first round of the NBB qualifying phase - Flamengo is in second. The decision is scheduled for next Saturday (28).

The team will only return to the NBB competition against Fortaleza, on January 31st, Tuesday, at 01 pm, at the opponent's home.