Fla wins and is one victory away from the NBB semifinals
Rubro-negro beat Bauru and made it 2-1 in the quarter-final series
By Official Website Team - in
Flamengo secured another important victory in the quarterfinals of the NBB (New Basketball Brazil). The team defeated Bauru 79-73 on Wednesday night (April 27.04) at the HSBC Arena in Rio, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Next Friday (April 29.04), Flamengo has the chance to secure a spot in the semifinals of the competition. The two teams face off at 20:30 pm in Bauru in the fourth game of the series. The fifth game, if necessary, will be played on Sunday (May 01.05) in Rio.
With a great performance (he scored 15 points in the first half alone), point guard Helio finished with the top scorer of the match, with 21. Marcelinho scored 19.
Still without center Bábby, who suffered a lower back strain in the first game of the series, Flamengo faced more difficulties than in Tuesday's match (April 26.04). The first half was evenly matched, with both teams alternating the lead. Bauru finished the first quarter ahead: 14 x 16. But Flamengo went into halftime leading: 34 x 32.
In the third quarter, Flamengo tightened its defense and opened up a 10-point lead (45 x 35) and closed at 60 x 52. The game became more competitive at the beginning of the last quarter, but the red-black team tightened its defense and opened up a 14-point lead (73 x 59). Bauru scored 12 points in a row and closed the gap: 73 x 71. But Flamengo came back into the game and closed at 79 x 73.
"We played with the attitude of someone who wants to win. But it was a tough game, with a playoff feel. We played better than yesterday (Tuesday) and I think we're on the right track to secure a spot in the semifinals," said Hélio.
"We did our homework, winning both games at home, and we hope to close out the series on Friday in Bauru," Jefferson added.
With a great performance (he scored 15 points in the first half alone), point guard Helio finished with the top scorer of the match, with 21. Marcelinho scored 19.
Still without center Bábby, who suffered a lower back strain in the first game of the series, Flamengo faced more difficulties than in Tuesday's match (April 26.04). The first half was evenly matched, with both teams alternating the lead. Bauru finished the first quarter ahead: 14 x 16. But Flamengo went into halftime leading: 34 x 32.
In the third quarter, Flamengo tightened its defense and opened up a 10-point lead (45 x 35) and closed at 60 x 52. The game became more competitive at the beginning of the last quarter, but the red-black team tightened its defense and opened up a 14-point lead (73 x 59). Bauru scored 12 points in a row and closed the gap: 73 x 71. But Flamengo came back into the game and closed at 79 x 73.
"We played with the attitude of someone who wants to win. But it was a tough game, with a playoff feel. We played better than yesterday (Tuesday) and I think we're on the right track to secure a spot in the semifinals," said Hélio.
"We did our homework, winning both games at home, and we hope to close out the series on Friday in Bauru," Jefferson added.