FlaBasquete beats Universidad de Concepción and guarantees its place in Final 8 of the BCLA
Pride of the Nation returns to play this Sunday (30), in Buenos Aires, against Boca Jrs
By Helena Petry - inGuaranteed in the decisive phase! FlaBasquete stamped its passport to the Final 8 of the Champions League Americas this Saturday (29), by beating Universidad de Concepción 82 to 68. The two teams faced each other in the second BCLA qualifying window, at La Bombonerita gym, in Buenos Aires (ARG), home of Boca Jrs. With the result, the Argentine team also guaranteed its place in the final phase, while the Chilean, with four losses, no longer has a chance.
The game:
The Pride of the Nation's first points came from JP Batista, who scored twice in a row. Franco Balbi also converted, putting Mengão ahead (6-4). Batista extended the lead on the counterattack, UdeC tied the score, and Olivinha dunked to open up another lead. The star of the game, JP scored from outside the paint (13-8). Brandon Robinson was fouled and converted both free throws, with Rafael Mineiro, from distance, getting another 3 points (18-12). Led by Louis, UdeC grew in the game and managed the comeback, reaching 22-18. Flamengo scored again through Faverani and, at the end of the first quarter, closed the gap with a 3-pointer from Dar Tucker (23-24).
It started as it ended: Tucker converted early in the second period and was fouled. Faverani then sank a layup. The American came out on top and scored again from outside the paint. Rafa Mineiro dunked, Robinson converted a 3-pointer, and FlaBasquete was able to breathe again, with a 5-point lead (36-31). And he showed up again! Darquavis Lamar Tucker pounced on the rebound and, on a fast break, delivered a beautiful dunk. Shortly after, he was fouled and made all three free throws, grabbing an offensive rebound and setting up Faverani for a 43-36. Olivinha, with a free throw, scored the last points for the Red-Blacks in the first half, and the teams went to the locker room with a 45-40 lead.
The number 16 opened the scoring for Mengão in the third quarter, after the opponent had started scoring (47-42). Mineiro assisted JP to convert, with Balbi following suit. Batista tapped the rebound into the basket (53-46). Olivinha converted two free throws, and UdeC responded shortly after. From outside the paint, Faverani stopped the opponent and put Mengão up 58, to Universidad de Concepción's 53. The center extended the lead after being fouled. Yago scored and then assisted Dar Tucker. O Monstrinho (Little Monster) shot from distance, and the American tapped the rebound to finish (66-57).
From the corner of the court, Mineiro hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth and final period. Faverani was fouled and converted two shots. Olivinha scored from outside the paint and then from inside, extending Flamengo's lead to 77-64. Rafa Mineiro, already with ten rebounds in the game, reached a double-double with two more points. Yago scored from distance in the final seconds of the game, which ended 2-82 for Mengão.
Highlights:
Dar Tucker - with 18 points and 5 rebounds
Rafael Mineiro - 10 points and 11 rebounds
Olivinha - 13 points and 8 rebounds
Faverani and JP Batista - 13 points
Upcoming challenges:
Now it's Brazil vs. Argentina! FlaBasquete faces Boca Jrs, at the opponent's home, this Sunday (30), at 19 pm. With the victory in the first window of the competition, by 88 to 66, at Maracanãzinho, the Pride of the Nation has the advantage in the confrontation for first place in the group. The third and final bubble before the final phase takes place in March, on the 11th and 12th, in Concepción, Chile.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, MOSS, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).