Flamengo lost to Franca in the game that decided who would be the champion of the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA), on Saturday night (15), at the Pedrocão gym, the opponent's home. The red-black team fought hard throughout the duel, but ended up being overcome by the hosts of the Final Four of the tournament by 88 to 79.

FlaBasquete's biggest highlight was Gui Deodato, who topped the scoreboard with 25 points, in addition to 27 efficiency.

Highlights

Points – Deodato (25), Cuello (18), Jaú (12)

Rebounds – Hettsheimeir (6), Ibarguen (5)

Retrospect and campaign

This was Flamengo's third BCLA final in history - the club finished runner-up in 2019-20 and won the title in 2020-21. Previously, the team had won the Liga das Américas in 2014.

In this edition of the continental tournament, Rubro-Negro was in Group C, alongside Peñarol and Instituto. After five wins and only one loss, to Instituto in Montevideo, the team qualified for the Final Four as group leader with 11 points.

In the semi-final, played last Friday (14), the team beat Minas after a good recovery, by 80 to 75, qualifying for the decision played tonight.

The game

The first quarter began with the home team opening up a strong lead. Flamengo didn't let up and, with the help of Loku Cuello's sharpshooting, managed to pull within 17-21, but the half ended with Franca leading 29-17. In the second quarter, Flamengo came back stronger, led by Gui Deodato, and won the half, but Franca continued to outperform their field goals. A beautiful three-pointer from Gabriel Jaú in the middle of the field, just as the clock expired, signaled the break, with the score at 38-49.

Deodato continued to be a standout for Mais Querido in the third quarter, which saw the Gávea team comeback. With good shooting from the No. 1, as well as Jaú, Vildoza, Hettsheimeir, and excellent offensive rebounding from Cuello, Flamengo went into the final period just four points ahead (60-64). In another great period from Deodato, the Rubro-Negro were valiant until the final moment, but were unable to turn the score around. 

Starting Quintet

Ricardo Fischer, Penka Aguirre, Loku Cuello, Gabriel Jaú and Hettsheimeir.

Coach: Gustavo De Conti

Next appointment

Flamengo returns to the New Basketball Brazil (NBB) competition only for the quarterfinals. With its second-place finish in the qualifying round, the team has the advantage of skipping the round of 24, which has matches until April XNUMXth.