Flamengo makes a mistake in the third quarter, loses to Mogi and is out of the NBB
The match marked Marcelinho Machado's official farewell from the courts
By Lucas Dantas - inThe dream of a sixth championship title is over for FlaBasquete. After a resounding performance in Rio de Janeiro, in Game 3 (May 7th), this Saturday, José Neto's team was defeated by Mogi Basquete away from home, 89-72, and the series ended 3-1, with the São Paulo team qualifying for the final of the Novo Basquete Brasil 2017/2018.
Flamengo fought hard, but it wasn't enough. The third quarter was crucial for Mogi's victory. It was Flamengo's lowest score, compared to the home team's highest in the game (14 to 26). Flamengo's top scorer was Anderson Varejão, with 25 points. The standout performer was Mogi's Shamell, who scored 40 points, with excellent three-point shooting.
The game started off tense. Both teams made too many mistakes on offense, and Flamengo took more than three minutes to score its first two points. It was the first time they fell, and the game began to come into its own, especially with Anderson Varejão, the main offensive option in the first quarter. The lead alternated three times in the half. Flamengo, Mogi, Flamengo again, and Varejão kept piling up the points. With his sharp hand, the number 17 scored 10 points and was largely responsible for the only two-point lead over Mogi at the end (17-15).
With Marcelinho and Rhett on the court, Flamengo opened the second quarter scoring through Varejão again. Cubillan, after an assist from Marquinhos, extended the lead to 20-17, but Fabrício equalized on the next play. Varejão put Flamengo back in front and passed to JP Batista, who scored and opened the scoring four times. Guerrinha stopped the game, and his team stole two balls on the attack, taking the lead. Ramon hit from distance, making it 29-27. Then, Marcelinho took responsibility, went forward, and scored two more, only to be fouled. And in the last second, Marquinhos fired a shot from midcourt to end the half ahead at 37-36.
The third quarter was Flamengo's worst of the game, trailing for most of the 10 minutes. Mogi's defense performed better, stopping the red-and-blacks' plays. With four minutes remaining, they were five points ahead, and the Mais Querido's attempts were fruitless. Mogi grew, but Flamengo stopped, and the lead grew to 12, closing at 62-51 with 10 minutes to go.
With the advantage, Mogi tried to waste time and move the ball around, forcing fouls. The ball stubbornly refused to fall when Flamengo attacked, and the deficit didn't close—quite the opposite. It wasn't Flamengo's afternoon, and they bowed out of the championship.