Flamengo came out on the back of a best-of-five semifinal in the NBB (New Basketball Brazil). Playing at home at the HSBC Arena, the red-and-black team was defeated by Franca, 73 x 69, this Friday (06.05), in the series opener. Flamengo will seek recovery on Sunday (08.05), at 18 pm, at the Pedrocão Gymnasium, in Franca.

\

Then, the teams face each other on Tuesday (10.05), at the same location. If necessary, the fourth game will take place on 13.05, at Tijuca Tênis Clube (RJ), and the fifth, on 15.05, in Franca.

\

Still without Bábby, who suffered a lower back strain in the first game of the quarterfinals, Flamengo took a 12-6 lead, but Franca leveled the score and finished the first quarter ahead 23-25. In the second quarter, Flamengo regained the lead and went into halftime leading 39-37, with 19 points from Marcelinho. Flamengo finished as the game's top scorer with 32 points.

\

The start of the third quarter was very balanced, but Flamengo lost concentration and, with two minutes remaining, Franca opened up a 12-point lead (46 x 58). But the team from Gávea reacted and closed the gap at the end: 53 x 58. In the last quarter, Flamengo tied the game with a free throw from Átila (58 x 58), but Franca had more concentration and ended up closing at 73 x 69.

\

"Of course, we didn't expect this loss at home, but nothing is lost. We have two games in Franca and we're going to go out there to win. Last year, we closed out the semifinal series there," recalled point guard Hélio, who praised his opponent. "They played a great game and were more focused than us. Now we have to keep working for the next games," he added.

\

Flamengo started with: Marcelinho (32), Hélio (8), Teague (6), Teichmann (3) and Wagner (-). Entered: Fred (1), Jefferson (10), Átila (4), Duda (5).