Easter wasn't a pleasant experience for Flamengo's basketball team. The red-and-blacks went to Brasília needing to beat their biggest rival to secure first place in the 2009-2010 NBB qualifying round, but they couldn't overcome the home team. With Marcelinho, who scored 21 points, knocked out of the game in the third quarter, and failing to replicate the strong defensive performances of recent matches, Flamengo ended up losing 90-83.

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The result gives Brasília the advantage of deciding all playoff series at home. Flamengo, meanwhile, will only miss the final game of a potential final against Brasília at the HSBC Arena. Now, the red-and-blacks turn their attention to the Interleague Tournament. On April 06th, 07th, and 08th, Flamengo will face its own home team, Juventut Sionista (ARG), and Libertad Sunchales (ARG).

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Turnaround in the race
Flamengo knew the importance of starting the match against Brasília well. After all, this has been one of the red-and-black team's main characteristics in the New Basketball Brazil. However, it was the home team that started strong. Spurred on by their fans, Universo took a 7-0 lead, and from then on, the red-and-blacks could only chase the result.

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In the first quarter, coach Paulo Chupeta's team struggled, trailing 28-20. But in the second quarter, the team regained its composure, adjusted its defensive positioning, and even without Marcelinho Machado, who split his eyebrow, showed why they are the current two-time Brazilian champions. Scoring profusely and quickly breaking the deadlock on the counterattack, the team turned the game around with a three-pointer from Duda and went into the locker room leading 40-39.

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Cold shower
The euphoria of the huge comeback, however, turned to disappointment in the third quarter. The opening shots of the penultimate period showed what was to come. Two three-pointers by Guilherme Giovanoni, an unsportsmanlike foul by Duda, and a technical foul by Marcelinho, and Brasília regained control of the game. With an incredible 31-13 lead in the fourth, they held a 70-53 lead. To make matters worse, Marcelinho, with five fouls, was ejected.

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Without their number 4, Flamengo still attempted a comeback early in the fourth quarter. With Helio inspired, Flamengo cut the deficit to ten points, but Alex, Nezinho, and Guilherme prevented a comeback and kept the home team ahead. In the end, Brasília won 90-83.

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For coach Paulo Chupeta, Flamengo's poor start and the huge 19-point lead that Brasília opened up in the third period ended up being decisive for the defeat.

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"We were chasing the score the whole time, and in a game between two teams of this caliber, it's very difficult to gain a big advantage. We even got closer in the last period, but we were unlucky with two decisive shots and couldn't turn the result around. But we showed strength and a great ability to react, and even though we weren't playing well, we could have won," explained Chupeta.

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Flamengo: Marcelinho (21), Helio (16), Wagner (7), Fred (3), Duda (8), Jefferson (13), Teichmann (7) and Coloneze (8).
Brasília: Arthur (12), Estevam (7), Valtinho (3), Alex (25), Guilherme (27), Rossi (2), Nezinho (8), Cipriano (2), Biro (0) and Mineiro (4).