In the last round of the first phase of the Rio de Janeiro Basketball Championship, Flamengo goes to the La Salle Abel Gymnasium, in Niterói, to face the home team. The ball goes up at 18:30 pm this Saturday (8).

The Mais Querido has five wins in five matches played this season. Having beaten all their opponents in the State Championship so far, the Rubro-Negro has a chance to advance to the playoffs with a 100% record, having already secured the lead in the competition.

Niterói has yet to win in the Campeonato Carioca, but they played tough matches against Vasco and Botafogo during the first and second rounds. The last game was a tough fight, but ended in a 69-58 loss to the black and white team.

In the second round of the State Championship, Fla achieved a very important victory by 100 to 36, confirming their favoritism at the Hélio Maurício gym.

"It's an important game for us, as we'll be without three key players who will be playing for the national team. As they say, opportunity arises when there's a need. So, it's a chance to have more players and for the youngsters to have more playing time, so it's up to them to take advantage. Whoever plays better will play further forward. This is a team we'll face in the playoffs and one that has improved significantly throughout the competition. They finished the first half ahead against Botafogo and played a tough game against Vasco. So the least we can do is respect them and do our part, playing well and trying to do as we did in the first half," analyzed the red-and-black coach.

The tournament will be played in two-legged matches, with all teams facing each other at home and away. The semifinals will then be a best-of-three series, with the first-place team facing the fourth-place team and the second-place team facing the third-place team. The final begins on September 25th and will also be played over a maximum of three matches.

Coach Gustavo De Conti will be without Rafael Mineiro, Jhonatan Luz, and Anderson Varejão, who will be with the Brazilian national team. Check out the players listed. 

Shipowners: Franco Balbi, Davi Rossetto, Matheusinho and João Matheus

Shooting guards: Deryk Ramos and Kevin Crescenzi

Wing: Marquinhos and Lucas Aprigio

Power forwards: Olivinha, David Nesbitt and Ruan

Pivot: João Vitor

There will be no tickets for Flamengo fans for the match. All tickets for Niterói fans are already sold out.

08/09, at 18:30 pm: Niterói x Flamengo, at the ABEL Institute Gymnasium (Niterói)

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