A decision. That's how Flamengo is approaching this Friday's match (May 25.05th) against São José. The red-and-black team needs a win to stay in the NBB. After taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series, Flamengo was defeated by the São Paulo team in the following two games and is now going all out. The match is scheduled for 21:15 pm at Tijuca Tênis Clube. Tickets cost R$20 (full price). Fans wearing Flamengo shirts pay half price (R$10). Sportv will broadcast the match live.

In the first match, Flamengo won 84-68 in Tijuca. In the following two matches, São José won 107-99 and 100-91, respectively, in São José dos Campos. If necessary, the fifth match of the series will be played on Sunday at 18 p.m. in São Paulo.

"It's a final, a decision, we need to win to maintain our chances in the championship. We're all very focused on this match, we need to focus only on this game, as if it were our last. We respect São José, they're a great team, with players like Fúlvio, Jefferson, Laws, Murilo, they're a well-balanced team, and we know each other well, after all, we've already faced each other five times this year. But we'll be playing at home, with our fans, and that way we're stronger," said captain Marcelinho.

For power forward/center Kammerichs, Flamengo has experience on its side.

"We have players who have experienced this situation before, they're used to decisive matches. So now we have to keep our heads in place, stay calm, and go out on the court focused on doing our best," said the player, who warned of the opposing team's offensive prowess. "São José is a very strong team offensively, one of the best in the competition. We have to try to neutralize the Fúlvio/Murilo duo and show good defense."

Center Caio, who played at the sacrifice in the last match, last Sunday (20.05), added:

"In this decisive moment, we forget about any pain. We just have to go out on the court and help the team come out with the victory," said the player, who sprained his left foot in the second match of the series, on May 18.05.

Regardless of the result, it will be Flamengo's last match in Rio de Janeiro this season. Therefore, the red-and-blacks are hoping for the support of their fans.

"It will be a life-or-death game for us. And the Flamengo fans always make the difference in these moments. I'm sure they will be a weapon in our favor," said point guard Hélio.

 

In this Friday's game, captain Marcelinho could reach another record with the Flamengo shirt: he is just five points away from reaching the seven thousand points mark in official games for the Rubro-negro.

"Of course, I'm very happy to be reaching seven thousand points with the Flamengo jersey. I completely identify with the club and seeing these numbers fills me with pride. But the most important thing is the victory, I leave the record aside, we need to win and we're going to the court for that," he concluded.