Flamengo didn't have a good night in its semifinal debut in the South American League. With a very low score in the final quarter, the "Mais Querido" was defeated by Paraguay's Olimpia 76-78, with the match going down to the last second. Now, Flamengo faces Pinheiros this Wednesday at 19 pm, also in Tijuca, and only a win will do. The São Paulo team also lost to Argentina's Estudiantes 71-68 and is equally eager. 

It was a very even match throughout. Flamengo led in the first three quarters, with strong performances from JP and Cubillan, but faltered in the final, letting the Paraguayans slip through despite not having a strong quarter. However, it was enough for them to emerge victorious. With 20 points, Olivinha led Flamengo, but Freeman had 22 and led the way. 

The game

Flamengo opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Marquinhos, followed shortly by Olivinha. The number 16 was inspired and scored another from outside the paint when the Paraguayans arrived, extending the lead to 11-06 and giving Flamengo a cushion. Ramon also tried his luck and scored from distance. Olimpia pulled one back, but Olivinha, with a sharp hand, scored three more, making it 17-08 with five minutes remaining in the quarter. The red-and-black team's dominance, especially on three-pointers, was dominant, as the team finished the first half ahead 27-23. 

The second quarter was a collective affair. Flamengo played the ball a lot, always looking for the best player to shoot. And the tactic worked. Marcelinho, Ramon, MJ, and JP rotated and made plays on almost every attack. With more play in the paint, Flamengo extended their lead, also benefiting from a great performance by JP, who recorded his double-double in the first half with 10 points and 11 rebounds. With the team's extremely effective performance, the 48-40 result at the end of the half was more than fair. 

On the return leg, Flamengo gave Olimpia space, but they enjoyed the game and pushed back. With the score significantly lower, Olimpia saw their rivals take the lead at 53-54 with five minutes remaining, and Neto called a timeout. On the return leg, Cubillan hit a three-pointer and turned the game around again. Flamengo held the lead but couldn't extend the lead. In the end, Olivinha fought back in the paint to make it 61-61 and tie the half. 

The first ball of the fourth quarter was slow to fall, belonging to Olimpia (61-63), but Marquinhos returned the ball immediately with a layup. However, Flamengo failed to score any more shots and only scored two points in the first five minutes of the quarter. Olimpia took advantage to extend their lead to 63-69 with four minutes remaining. Rhett then lifted the crowd with a dunk to revive the team. The game picked up a blistering pace towards the end. The fans cheered Flamengo on, finding themselves six points down with 1:46 remaining. But the comeback was elusive. With 16 seconds remaining, Martinez hit a three-pointer and practically sealed the game, making it 73-78. Neto called a timeout, set up the play, and Marquinhos' three-pointer reduced the deficit to two points. Olimpia regained possession, and Olivinha forced a foul. In the free throws, Martinez missed both and gave hope, but in the resumption, Marcelinho did not convert the final shot and the game ended in a Paraguayan victory by 78x76.