Flamengo advances to the NBB semifinals
With a victory over Bauru, Rubro-negro closes the quarterfinal series 3-1
By Official Website Team - in
With the choreography of the "bonde sem frenho" (brakeless tram), Flamengo secured a spot in the NBB (New Basketball Brazil) semifinals with a thrilling 82-79 victory over Bauru in Bauru on Friday night (January 29.01). With the victory, the Rubro-negro team closed the best-of-five series 3-1. The next opponent has not yet been defined (it depends on the results of the other series), but the debut in the semifinals will be on May 06.05.
With a stellar performance, American David Teague was the game's top scorer with 29 points.
"I'm very happy because it's the first time in my career that I've reached a playoff. The team had a great performance today and we're very focused on achieving our goal, which is the title," said Teague, who was the star of the second half of the game.
Still without center Bábby, with a lower back strain, Flamengo had defensive problems in the first quarter and Bauru took the lead: 27 x 15. With Fred, Jefferson and Átila replacing Hélio, Teichmann and Wagner, respectively, the red-black team started better in the second quarter and converted eight points in a row: 27 x 23. The São Paulo team opened again (35 x 27), but with a three-pointer by Duda, Fla tied at 36 x 36. The Rio de Janeiro team still missed three chances to turn the score around and Bauru went into halftime winning by 41 x 36.
Flamengo tied the game early in the third quarter (45-45), and the period remained evenly matched. Eventually, Bauru took a 57-49 lead. In the final quarter, Teague's brilliant performance put Flamengo ahead 68-67. Playing with determination, the team managed to maintain its lead and close out the match at 82-79.
"It was a very difficult series. Bauru is a very strong team, which thrives in front of its fans. But this victory gave us more motivation to continue towards our goal, which is the title," said Marcelinho, who led the "bonde sem frenho" choreography at the end of the match.
Coach Gonzalo Garcia was more cautious.
"Our focus now is on the semifinals. We have to think about one stage at a time," said the Argentine coach.
Flamengo started with: Marcelinho (21), Helio (6), Teague (29), Teichmann (10) and Wagner (2). Entered: Fred (-), Jefferson (5), Duda (3) and Átila (6).
With a stellar performance, American David Teague was the game's top scorer with 29 points.
"I'm very happy because it's the first time in my career that I've reached a playoff. The team had a great performance today and we're very focused on achieving our goal, which is the title," said Teague, who was the star of the second half of the game.
Still without center Bábby, with a lower back strain, Flamengo had defensive problems in the first quarter and Bauru took the lead: 27 x 15. With Fred, Jefferson and Átila replacing Hélio, Teichmann and Wagner, respectively, the red-black team started better in the second quarter and converted eight points in a row: 27 x 23. The São Paulo team opened again (35 x 27), but with a three-pointer by Duda, Fla tied at 36 x 36. The Rio de Janeiro team still missed three chances to turn the score around and Bauru went into halftime winning by 41 x 36.
Flamengo tied the game early in the third quarter (45-45), and the period remained evenly matched. Eventually, Bauru took a 57-49 lead. In the final quarter, Teague's brilliant performance put Flamengo ahead 68-67. Playing with determination, the team managed to maintain its lead and close out the match at 82-79.
"It was a very difficult series. Bauru is a very strong team, which thrives in front of its fans. But this victory gave us more motivation to continue towards our goal, which is the title," said Marcelinho, who led the "bonde sem frenho" choreography at the end of the match.
Coach Gonzalo Garcia was more cautious.
"Our focus now is on the semifinals. We have to think about one stage at a time," said the Argentine coach.
Flamengo started with: Marcelinho (21), Helio (6), Teague (29), Teichmann (10) and Wagner (2). Entered: Fred (-), Jefferson (5), Duda (3) and Átila (6).