Flamengo crushes Niterói and wins second victory in the 2018 State Championship
Anderson Varejão was the top scorer on the night the team beat their rivals 100-36
By Lucas Dantas - in
There was no doubt that Flamengo was the favorite. With such superiority, victory over Niterói Basquete was imminent. And that's how the night ended in Gávea, with the team crushing their opponent 100-36, securing their second victory in the 2018 State Championship, the first game with the Nação Rubro-Negra (Red-Black Nation) in attendance.
Anderson Varejão, with 20 points, was the top scorer of the match. João Vitor, with 15, and Olivinha, with 14, also stood out in the match. Flamengo returns to the court next Saturday (25), against Vasco da Gama, at Tijuca Tênis Clube, at 17 pm.
The game
Flamengo started the game as expected. They attacked Niterói and showed they wanted to settle the match early. The first three minutes were all Flamengo, who took an 8-0 lead and forced coach Mingau to take his first timeout. It didn't help much, as the "Mais Querido" continued to perform very well in front of their home fans. With quick plays, constant exchanges, and demonstrating their superior quality, the team closed the first quarter 31-03.
The second quarter saw no change of scenery. Gustavinho continued to lead the team against Niterói relentlessly. The lead widened, and Flamengo maintained the same intensity from the start. With changes to the lineup and testing various options, the Flamengo coach took the opportunity to observe younger players like Matheusinho and Aieser. But the show came from Olivinha and Varejão, who combined for 22 points and helped close the first half 58-14.
After the second half, Gustavo De Conti maintained his team's momentum and tried to get Flamengo going. Varejão, with a 100% accuracy rate in the paint, took a chance from three. And he scored. The number 17 kept racking up points, and the lead grew ever wider, ending the quarter at 84-23.
The scenario was the same in the final quarter. The disparity between the teams was all too obvious. The fans in Gávea began the countdown to 100 points, which came with João Vitor's free throw with three minutes remaining. And as if to cap it off just like that, Flamengo closed out its reunion with the nation 100-36.
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.