After debuting with a victory over the strong Capitanes de Arecibo team from Puerto Rico on Monday night, Flamengo's basketball team returns to the court this Tuesday for its second challenge in the Liga das Américas. At 21:30 pm, the red-and-black team faces Halcones Rojos, the leader of the Mexican League, and a victory could put the Gávea team's unprecedented qualification for the Final Four of the competition well on its way. The game will be broadcast live on SporTV.

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The victory of the reigning two-time national champions and South American champions by 15 points (81 to 66) was surprising. For this reason, coach Paulo Chupeta heaped praise on his players, who put in a performance worthy of a team fighting for the Liga de las Américas title. And with one detail: without one of the team's key players, Marcelinho Machado, who is injured and out of the first phase of the tournament.

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"We won three quarters and only faltered a bit at the end of the first half. I liked the team, especially in the third quarter, where we played very well and secured our victory. We maintained stability in the quarters, but we always need to improve. They have experienced players like Ayuso and Bonzi Wells, who played well, but today my team was superior and knew how to control the game," said Chupeta.

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Power forward Jefferson was one of the red-and-blacks' standouts in the victory over Capitanes. With 18 points and seven rebounds, he fulfilled his role well, but also highlighted the efficiency of the entire group. According to the number 18, the team needs to maintain the momentum shown in its debut in tonight's match against Halcones if it wants to continue dreaming of a spot in the final four.

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"We put in a great performance in the first half and turned the score around, playing strong defense and taking advantage of our chances in attack. Now it's time to keep going, because the match against the Mexican team will be just as difficult, so we have to play with the same grit and determination," he added.

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The Halcones are a very physically powerful team, whose highlight is their aerial game. Forward Daimon Gooner is one of the team's key offensive weapons and a key leader. Jeffrion Aubrey, a 2.05'2.05" center with experience in Argentina and Uruguay, who is familiar with the South American basketball school, and Edner Elisma, a XNUMX'XNUMX" center and graduate of Georgia Tech University, a very physically powerful player and one of the team's leading rebounders, are also among the key players for Mengão's opponent this Tuesday.

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Despite this, it's worth remembering that the Mexicans were defeated by the home team, Espartanos de Margarita, in the other match of the first round of Group B. In a thrilling game, which went to two overtimes, the Venezuelan team prevailed 109-105.