Flamengo beats AEGE and advances to the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Basketball Cup
In a balanced game, Mais Querido grows in the last quarter and achieves classification
By Victor Cachoeira - in
Flamengo has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Basketball Cup. This Wednesday (18), Rubro-Negro beat the AEGB Basquete team, from Goiás, by a score of 67x52 and secured a place in the second phase of the competition.
At Fluminense's gymnasium, the game started evenly. With plays from point guard Matheusinho, who finished the game with 13 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds, the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) team wasn't intimidated and responded to all of the opposing team's attacks. The teams' performance remained the same until halftime, when the score was 28-28.
In the second half of the match, Flamengo pressed forward and clearly demonstrated their various qualities on the court. With good rotation and increased intensity, João Vitor stepped up his game, scoring 16 points and finishing as the top scorer. In another good performance, young Lucas Aprígio recorded a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds), contributing significantly to the team and bringing victory ever closer. With the final whistle, Flamengo triumphed and secured qualification for coach Fernando Pereira's team.
"We're going into a phase where we'll face a very tough team, for sure. Our opponent will be one of the top 4, but I've already told the boys, they have to think about playing with joy and giving their best to achieve great progress," the coach predicted.
Flamengo awaits the end of the round to find out its opponent in the quarter-finals. Regardless of the opponent, the match will be held this Thursday (19), with the time yet to be defined.
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.