FlaBasquete beats Instituto 81-76 and is in the next phase of the Champions League of the Americas
Franco Balbi was the top scorer for the red-black team with 20 points in the match
By Romulo Paranhos - in
Happy night! Seeking to secure the lead in Group C of the Basketball Champions League Americas, Flamengo took to the court on Friday night (20) and beat Instituto de Córdoba (ARG) 81-76 at Arena Carioca 1. The red-black team's top scorer in the match was Franco Balbi with 20 points. With the result, the Mais Querido is classified for the next phase of the competition.
The game
The match started evenly, with both teams looking for penetration plays in the paint. Strong on defense, the Pride of the Nation managed to contain the Argentines' advances and prevented any opportunities for shot attempts. On offense, Franco Balbi led the way, setting up plays and hitting three-pointers. Instituto de Córdoba made numerous errors on offense, especially on three-point attempts. The Rubro-Negro ended the first quarter leading 21-10.
Flamengo maintained the same intensity at the start of the second quarter. The red-and-blacks were on point, producing good three-point shots. Balbi and Olivinha, who performed very well throughout the match, were the standouts for Mengão. With a strong defense and a quick transition to attack, the Mais Querido maintained control of the game and closed the quarter with a 42-36 lead.
When the teams returned for the third quarter, Instituto rallied and closed the gap. In the tightest moment of the match, Balbi and Olivinha were again accurate with two three-pointers. At the end of the quarter, Mengão once again tightened their defense and hit penetrative plays, opening up a 12-point lead: 69-57.
In the final quarter, the Argentines sought a comeback and closed the gap again. The red-and-blacks missed numerous shots, wasting a chance to seal the victory. Deryk came off the bench and contributed to the red-and-blacks, scoring in the decisive moment. Balbi, the leading scorer of the match with 20 points, also played a key role in Mengão's 81-76 victory.
With the result, Mais Querido secured first place in Group C and advanced to the next phase of the Basketball Champions League Americas.
And now?
FlaBasquete returns to the court for NBB 12 on Saturday (28). The Most Beloved will face Corinthians, at 12:50 pm, at the Wlamir Marques gym, in São Paulo.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, 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 generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.