Fla beats Atenas, but says goodbye to the South American League
Despite the great performance, the team cannot get the advantage needed to qualify.
By press office - in
Flamengo defeated Atenas de Cordoba this Friday (February 03.02rd) at the Obras Sanitárias gymnasium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, they didn't achieve the advantage needed to qualify for the semifinals of the South American League (a minimum of nine points, as they had lost to Pinheiros in the first game). With a strong performance, especially defensively, the red-and-black team defeated the Argentine team 71-68 and postponed their dream of a second championship title. Argentine Kammerichs was Flamengo's standout player, with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Melvin, of Atenas, was the top scorer with 22 points.
With a strong defense, Flamengo was superior throughout the first half, but didn't reach the necessary points. The first quarter ended 18-13, and Flamengo went into halftime leading 31-27. Their biggest lead was eight points in the second quarter: 22-14. Kammerichs stood out with 10 points and six rebounds.
With six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Flamengo managed to open up a nine-point lead for the first time: 39-30, a lead that would have put them in the semifinals. They finished the period 10 points ahead: 54-44. They maintained this advantage for much of the final quarter, but with 35 seconds remaining, they let Atenas close in (68-64 for Flamengo). Flamengo still tried to force a draw to take the game to overtime, but the Argentines saw through their strategy and missed the final shots. Score: Flamengo 71-68 Atenas.
"Our biggest problem was the first game (the loss to Pinheiros), when we played very poorly. Today, we came out vibrant and focused and did everything we had to. It was a great match. Unfortunately, we couldn't take the nine-point lead, but at least we played well again today," explained coach Gonzalo Garcia.
"This was a very important tournament for us. Today we did our job, unfortunately it didn't work out. Now it's time to turn our attention to the NBB and maintain the style of play we demonstrated today," Kammerichs added.
Flamengo started with: Hélio (3), David Jackson (14), Marcelinho (15), Kammerichs (20) and Caio Torres (10). Entered: Fred (-), Guto (-), Duda (3), Hayes (2) and Wagner (4).
With a strong defense, Flamengo was superior throughout the first half, but didn't reach the necessary points. The first quarter ended 18-13, and Flamengo went into halftime leading 31-27. Their biggest lead was eight points in the second quarter: 22-14. Kammerichs stood out with 10 points and six rebounds.
With six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Flamengo managed to open up a nine-point lead for the first time: 39-30, a lead that would have put them in the semifinals. They finished the period 10 points ahead: 54-44. They maintained this advantage for much of the final quarter, but with 35 seconds remaining, they let Atenas close in (68-64 for Flamengo). Flamengo still tried to force a draw to take the game to overtime, but the Argentines saw through their strategy and missed the final shots. Score: Flamengo 71-68 Atenas.
"Our biggest problem was the first game (the loss to Pinheiros), when we played very poorly. Today, we came out vibrant and focused and did everything we had to. It was a great match. Unfortunately, we couldn't take the nine-point lead, but at least we played well again today," explained coach Gonzalo Garcia.
"This was a very important tournament for us. Today we did our job, unfortunately it didn't work out. Now it's time to turn our attention to the NBB and maintain the style of play we demonstrated today," Kammerichs added.
Flamengo started with: Hélio (3), David Jackson (14), Marcelinho (15), Kammerichs (20) and Caio Torres (10). Entered: Fred (-), Guto (-), Duda (3), Hayes (2) and Wagner (4).