In the final of the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA), FlaBasquete ended up being defeated by Quimsa-ARG, by 92 to 80, on Sunday night (14), in Ciudad de Santiago del Estero, Argentina. With the defeat, Rubro-Negro ends its participation in the continental tournament in second place and now focuses on the NBB playoffs.

Argentine Franco Balbi was named best point guard, making it into the competition's quintet.


1st Bedroom
The final began with Quimsa scoring the opening points. Gui Deodato, from the perimeter, scored Flamengo's first three points of the game. Flamengo missed numerous shots early in the quarter, and the Argentines capitalized on this to open up a lead. A good play by Balbi resulted in Devon Scott receiving the ball in the paint and scoring two points. On the court, Cuello fired a three-point shot, but the ball fell. With poor offensive performance, FlaBasquete ended the quarter trailing 28-12.

2st Bedroom
The Rubro-Negro team persisted in shooting three-pointers, but the ball stubbornly refused to go in. One of the team's strengths, its defense, also struggled to contain the Argentine attack. In a great play, Gabriel Jaú provided a beautiful assist for Olivinha to score two points and draw a foul. On the bonus free throw, the "God of Race" converted another point. Scott Machado was left open, and he hit a three-pointer. Kayo Gonçalves followed suit, also scoring from the perimeter. The Rubro-Negro team showed a clear improvement in the final stretch of the second quarter, but Quimsa remained ahead by 17 points: 50 to 33.

3st Bedroom
After two unsuccessful attempts, Cuello and Balbi each hit a three-pointer early in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 11 points. Despite Flamengo's improved three-point shooting, Quimsa continued to score offensively and maintain a double-digit lead. In the final seconds, the Red-Blacks managed to close the gap to 11 points: 70-59. 

4st Bedroom
At the start of the final quarter, Quimsa opened up a lead again, dampening the red-and-black's comeback. FlaBasquete continued to struggle to score due to the Argentines' strong defense. In the final minutes, Orgulho da Nação managed to close the gap somewhat, but Quimsa, which had held the lead throughout, ended the match at 92-80 and became the two-time BCLA champion. 

Next challenge
Now, Orgulho da Nação returns to focus on the dispute in the NBB, when it faces Botafogo next Saturday (20), at 19:30 pm, at the Oscar Zelaya gymnasium (General Severiano), for the first game of the best of three of the round of XNUMX of the national competition.

Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Didi Louzada, Kayo Gonçalves and Gabriel Jaú.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.