Flamengo is looking to the past for inspiration as it battles for a spot in the NBB (New Basketball Brazil) final. The Red-Blacks will debut in the competition's semifinals this Friday (06.05) against Franca, at 21 pm, at the HSBC Arena, in Barra da Tijuca (RJ). Tickets cost R$30 (students with a student ID pay half price: R$15).

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The second and third games of the series will take place on May 08.05 (Sunday) and May 10.05 (Tuesday) at the Pedrocão gymnasium in Franca. If necessary, the fourth game will be played on May 13.05 at the Tijuca Tênis Clube (RJ) and the fifth on May 15.05 at the Pedrocão gymnasium in Franca.

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Flamengo's opponent in the semifinals is the same as in the last edition of the NBB. And Flamengo has fond memories of that series. After losing the first match in Franca, 90-82, the team from Gávea won the next two games in Rio, 101-73 and 80-73, respectively. In the fourth match, again in Franca, Flamengo closed the series 3-1, winning 86-85 thanks to a three-pointer by Marcelinho with two seconds remaining.

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"Of course it would be great to finish the series, but what the whole team wants is to win and move on to the next stage," said Marcelinho.

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This season, Flamengo and Franca finished the qualifying round with the same record (20 wins in 28 games). However, in the tiebreakers, the São Paulo team prevailed, taking first place in the overall standings. Flamengo finished fourth, behind Pinheiros and Brasília (with the same record).

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"It's going to be a long and difficult series. Franca has an experienced team, accustomed to playing in the playoffs. Furthermore, they have new names this season," predicted Marcelinho.

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Flamengo still doesn't know if it will be able to count on center Bábby for the first match. The player suffered a lower back strain in the first quarterfinal game against Bauru on April 24.04th and has been out of action. On Wednesday, he played football for the first time since the injury; his starting lineup, however, will only be determined shortly before the game.