Flamengo defeats Niterói and takes the lead in the State semifinal
With a great performance by Marquinhos and the debut of Kevin Crescenzi, the team opens 1-0 in the series
By Lucas Dantas - in
Mengão prevailed in the first game of the semifinals. FlaBasquete took no notice of Niterói Basquete and beat their opponents 97-38 on Wednesday night at the Hélio Maurício gymnasium in Gávea. The victory opened up an advantage in the best-of-three series, which will have its second chapter this Thursday (20), at the same location, at 20 pm.
With six wins in six games, it's natural that Flamengo would be the clear favorite in this match. In their two previous meetings against Niterói, they had two undisputed victories. In the opening match, they won 100-36. And in the final round of the qualifying phase, they won 89-56, in Niterói. If they qualify for the final, their opponent will be Botafogo, who defeated Vasco to close out the series 2-1.
With 21 points, Marquinhos led the way, followed by Anderson Varejão, who scored 14 and grabbed 17 rebounds. Rafael Mineiro also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The game marked the debut of Kevin Crescenzi, who returned from injury and played 10 minutes, scoring a basket and adding two assists.
Flamengo dominated the match from the start. With a strong pace up front and a defense that repeatedly blocked shots in the allotted time, Gustavo de Conti's team only conceded its first two points five minutes into the game. They continued at this pace for the first ten minutes, ending the match at 17-7.
It was the lowest-scoring period for Flamengo. The team loosened up in the next 10 minutes and surged forward. In the second quarter, Varejão hit his target and collected baskets from inside the paint. Flamengo scored 30 points, conceding only 10, and closed the half with a 46-17 lead, already sealing the game.
The path was set. Gustavinho promoted Kevin Crescenzi's debut, but maintained the team's fast-paced, intense pace. There was no changing it. The seriousness and commitment remained on the court until the end. Even against a weaker opponent, FlaBasquete performed like a strong team and continued its game, much to the delight of the fans at the Hélio Maurício Stadium. The predictable end of the match saw the fans clamor for the 100th point after Deryk Ramos scored 97-36. However, the ball didn't drop, but no one was dissatisfied. The first round was secured, now comes the second game.
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.