Flamengo debuts with a victory in the NBB
The team defeats Paulistano and returns to the court on Monday (21.11) against Pinheiros
By Official Website Team - in
Flamengo debuted with a victory in the NBB (New Basketball Brazil). In a thrilling and evenly matched match, the red-and-black team defeated Paulistano 88-78 on Saturday morning (November 19.11) at the Tijuca Tennis Club gymnasium. In his first match in a national championship after nine years playing in the United States, Leandrinho shone and was the game's top scorer with 26 points.
Flamengo returns to the court on Monday (21.11), against Pinheiros, at 21 pm, again in Tijuca.
Without captain Marcelinho, suspended for two games (Paulistano and Pinheiros) due to a brawl in the match against Franca in the 2010/2011 NBB semifinals, Flamengo struggled in the first half. With defensive problems, the team from Gávea lost the first quarter 21-15 and went into halftime trailing 34-29.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Flamengo took the lead for the first time, after two free throws converted by Leandrinho (45 x 44). The Rubro-negro closed the period ahead: 56 x 52. In the last period, David Jackson's star shined, who, with three consecutive three-pointers, put Flamengo ahead: 74 x 71. From then on, the team improved offensively and pressed the defense until the end: 88 x 78.
"I know we still have a lot to improve. I need to get used to the type of game here, which involves more contact, but I think this first victory was very important for us and I'm very happy," said Leandrinho.
For point guard Hélio, it was a good start for Flamengo.
"The debut is always a bit difficult, but now we've got that weight off our chest. I think we can take a good lesson from this match: if we want to be champions, we have to improve our defense," said the player.
The next opponent, Pinheiros, is the current São Paulo champion.
"It's going to be another tough challenge and we have to be careful with our defensive system," predicts Leandrinho.
Flamengo started with: Hélio (7), Leandrinho (26), David Jackson (20), Kammerichs (12) and Caio Torres (10). Entered: Fred (2), Guto (6), Wagner (2), Átila (1), Duda (-) and Teichmann (2).
Flamengo returns to the court on Monday (21.11), against Pinheiros, at 21 pm, again in Tijuca.
Without captain Marcelinho, suspended for two games (Paulistano and Pinheiros) due to a brawl in the match against Franca in the 2010/2011 NBB semifinals, Flamengo struggled in the first half. With defensive problems, the team from Gávea lost the first quarter 21-15 and went into halftime trailing 34-29.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Flamengo took the lead for the first time, after two free throws converted by Leandrinho (45 x 44). The Rubro-negro closed the period ahead: 56 x 52. In the last period, David Jackson's star shined, who, with three consecutive three-pointers, put Flamengo ahead: 74 x 71. From then on, the team improved offensively and pressed the defense until the end: 88 x 78.
"I know we still have a lot to improve. I need to get used to the type of game here, which involves more contact, but I think this first victory was very important for us and I'm very happy," said Leandrinho.
For point guard Hélio, it was a good start for Flamengo.
"The debut is always a bit difficult, but now we've got that weight off our chest. I think we can take a good lesson from this match: if we want to be champions, we have to improve our defense," said the player.
The next opponent, Pinheiros, is the current São Paulo champion.
"It's going to be another tough challenge and we have to be careful with our defensive system," predicts Leandrinho.
Flamengo started with: Hélio (7), Leandrinho (26), David Jackson (20), Kammerichs (12) and Caio Torres (10). Entered: Fred (2), Guto (6), Wagner (2), Átila (1), Duda (-) and Teichmann (2).