Flamengo overcomes pressure in Franca and wins Super 8 with authority
The title is the second of the season and closes the year of renewal with another trophy in the gallery
By Flamengo Communication - in
Total pressure, a packed stadium, and an opponent who had just won the South American championship. A recipe for intimidating any team, except the Pride of the Nation.
Flamengo took the court to face the leader and favorite Franca and didn't give a damn. They took the lead in the first quarter, demonstrated masterful defense in the second, balanced their attack in the third, and finished with exquisite cruelty in the fourth. Franca had some hope, but Gustavo De Conte's team, who won their second title in 2018, completely controlled the match.
With this victory, FlaBasquete is now in the Liga das Américas, which will be played in the second half of 2019, and it also boosts the team's morale for the return of the NBB. Currently, the Red-Black team is in third place and will play again on the 12th, away from home, against Corinthians.
Argentine Franco Balbi was once again the deciding factor. A tremendous performance from the point guard, who scored 20 points, was a huge success. Marquinhos, named MVP, scored 15 and grabbed seven rebounds. Varejão, the star of the first half, who was a pain in the ass for Franca, scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The game
As expected, the first quarter was evenly matched, with both teams taking the lead. Flamengo started better, taking a 4-0 lead, but saw Franca grow with the support of the home crowd and turn the game around, eventually making it 8-13 within five minutes. Gustavo made a save and set up his team. With Varejão accumulating fouls from their rivals, Flamengo continued to gain the lead, which they held steady for the first 10 minutes. Despite Franca's pressure, FlaBasquete held on and closed the gap at 25-22.
The lead from the first half turned into a rout in the second. Five minutes in, Flamengo took a 12-0 lead (34-22) and completely dominated the half. The gym went silent, feeling the blow, but Flamengo slowed down a bit, and the score dropped. But nothing to worry about. Gustavo De Conti's team was tight-guarding and their strategy worked very well, preventing Franca from passing the ball to close at 47-20 and leave a good cushion for the second half.
The third quarter was the slowest of the game. Franca came back stronger, but Flamengo managed its lead and, with each point conceded, went out and scored a basket to maintain its lead. Through Hettsheimeir, the home team tried to close the gap, while FlaBasquete closed the perimeter well and prevented any shots from distance. Flamengo, on the other hand, also avoided trying from distance, relying more on infiltration with Balbi and Marquinhos. Despite losing the quarter (22-24), they still led by 11, 62-51.
In the final 10 minutes, Franca came back strong and hit two of three in a row, forcing Gustavo to stop the game. The conversation paid off, and Flamengo took control of the game. Balbi, with a beautiful infiltration, cooled down the arena.
The game turned into a battle. Both teams took turns attacking, leaving the game wide open. But the weight of Flamengo's star players prevailed. Balbi, Marquinhos, Olvinha, and Varejão held off Franca's momentum. The title was already secure. Flamengo returned to the top spot on the national championship podium. The nation could celebrate.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.