FlaBasquete has the first opportunity to close out the series today
A victory over Minas, at Arena Carioca, qualifies the team for the NBB semifinals
By Lucas Dantas - inFlaBasquete takes the court this Thursday at 19:30 pm with one mission: to finish the series. Even knowing that on the other side is a century-old team with a long tradition in Brazilian sports, after two wins in both games, José Neto's team doesn't want to stretch the quarterfinals to a fourth match. But absolutely nothing is won, and the coach knows the recipe for qualifying from Arena Carioca today.
May we have the same determination we had, or even more. We're playing against a team that has only one option to stay in the championship: winning. And when the team comes at us like this, we have to be even stronger, knowing that we need to be much more intense to close out the series. We have to be very consistent, especially defensively, so that we can use our strength and the squad we have to dominate the match and seek that third victory," said the coach shortly after the second game.
In the first meeting, Flamengo was coming off a training session while Minas Gerais had just finished a grueling series against Vitória. Flamengo triumphed in Belo Horizonte, 84-70. In Rio de Janeiro, they put on a spectacular performance, scoring 101-74, opening up a significant lead. For center JP Batista, Flamengo has everything it needs to close out the match today and should focus on that.
"Why not (close out the series on Thursday)? The Minas team deserves all the recognition and deserves credit for their great season and very strong series against Vitória, but we need to think about what we want and our objectives. We have an experienced group and we know they will come back stronger, wanting a reaction, so we will have to react in return. Why not close out on Thursday, then? Let's go for a positive result," said the pivot, who was the top scorer in the last game with 23 points.
Flamengo
Coach José Neto will have all of the players from the red-and-black squad available. Check out the players listed.
Shipowners: Arthur Pecos and David Cubillan.
Shooting guards: Ronald Ramon and Wesley Mogi.
Wings: Marcelinho and Marquinhos.
Power forwards: Olivinha, MJ Rhett and Pilar.
Pivots: JP Batista, João Vitor and Anderson Varejão.
Retrospect
In this season of NBB 10, Flamengo achieved 100% success in matches against Minas Tênis Clube.
In the first round, at Arena Minas, Mais Querido won 83-76 in a great performance by Marquinhos and Olivinha. The forward scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and four assists, while the number 16 achieved another double-double in his career, totaling 10 points and 10 rebounds.
In the return leg of the championship, at Arena Carioca 1, another red-and-black victory was won. Celebrating Marcelinho's 500th game, FlaBasquete closed the score at 96-84. Marquinhos led the way with 28 points.
Historically, the teams have faced each other 22 times in the New Basketball Brazil competition. On 19 occasions, the red-and-black team won, resulting in an 86,3% success rate.
Transmission
The match will be broadcast on the Sportv channel.
Tickets
Tickets to support FlaBasquete at Arena Carioca 1 start at R$10 (half price). Secure yours at guicheweb.com.br/flamengo. For the playoffs, a new section has been opened in the Arena. Check out the prices below:
Upper Grandstand R$ 20 (with half price)
Lower Stand R$ 30 (with half price)
Court Chairs R$ 160 (with half price)
.: Fan members pay half price in all sectors.
Let's fill the Arena and show that "This is Flamengo".
Social media coverage
You can also follow the match live on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #FlaBasquete. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like our page on Facebook. FlaTV also brings exclusive images to the Red-Black Nation. Sign up with one click, it's free!
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.