Wednesday night (21.10) was busy at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium, in Gávea. Playing the first game, of the best of three, of the State Basketball Championship, Flamengo faced the team from Macaé, at 20 pm, and the final score was favorable to Rubro-Negro: 71x64. Rafa Luz was Flamengo's top scorer, with 13 points scored.

 

The game
Flamengo took the court with Rafa Luz, Jason Robinson, Marquinhos, Olivinha, and Meyinsse. The match was tight throughout the first quarter, with a frenetic pace on both sides. The team from Macaé called a timeout with 3 minutes remaining and the score at 15-9. JP Batista returned in place of Meyinsse. The margin, throughout the quarter, remained at 10 points. Gegê replaced Rafa Luz with less than 2 minutes remaining, and Flamengo ended the first period ahead on the scoreboard: 23-16.

 

Back on the court with Gegê, Rafa Luz, Mingau, Jason Robinson, and JP Batista, Flamengo continued to press hard on their opponent, who closed the gap to 5 points early on. Flamengo made a substitution, with Marquinhos replacing Jason Robinson, the team's leading scorer to date with 10 points. Macaé continued to rally and get closer, with Flamengo scoring just three points during the first five minutes of the quarter. The opponent continued to step up their game, while Flamengo failed to capitalize on their chances to score. Quarter-final score: 10-16.

 

After halftime and the on-court action with the fans present (half-court shooting), Flabasquete returned for the third quarter with Gegê, Rafa Luz, Marquinhos, Olivinha, and Meyinsse. Coach José Neto hadn't opted to use the U-22 players on the roster. The fans were fired up, constantly pushing the team. In just under five minutes, the Mais Querido had already equaled the points they scored in the entire second quarter. Despite this, the score remained even throughout, with 47 points apiece with seconds remaining. Rafa Luz put Flamengo ahead on the final play of the quarter with a 3-pointer. Flamengo 50-47 Macaé. Quarter-final score: 16-15.

 

All set for the final period. Rafa Luz, Jason Robinson, Marquinhos, Olivinha, and JP Batista were on the court. It was an intense few minutes with the score very close, but Flabasquete held the lead throughout. The biggest margin in the first five minutes was just five points: 60-55. Gegê widened the gap with two consecutive 3-pointers, to the delight of the fans at the Hélio Maurício Stadium. It was Flamengo's highest-scoring quarter of the entire game. The quarter's scoreline: 21-17.

 

Game over. Flamengo wins the first leg of the final with a score of 71 to 64. Marcelinho Machado, recovering from diagnostic arthroscopy on his right knee, and Rafael Mineiro, who is not registered for the competition, were absent from the Pride of the Nation's match.

 

FlaBasquete's next matches will be two friendlies against Solar Cearense at the end of this week, Friday (23.10) and Sunday (25.10), in Fortaleza. The second game of the State final against Macaé will be on Thursday next week (29.10), at the opponent's home. Flamengo debuts in the Novo Basquete Brasil on November 02, against Bauru, also at the opponent's home.