Flamengo beat Franca 86-75 on Thursday night (29), at Tijuca Tênis Clube, in the third game of the semifinals of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). With the result, Mais Querido returns to lead the best-of-five series, now 2-1. Next Sunday (1), at 11 am, the red-black team goes to Franca with the first match point of the semis. 

All three games in the match so far have followed the same pattern: fiercely contested matches. Franca took the lead in the first quarter, but Flamengo took the advantage into the locker room. In the third quarter, the opposing team took the lead once again. It was in the final 10 minutes that Flamengo took control of the game. The court and the stands were in sync, Alexey put the ball under his arm, and Flamengo reestablished its lead in the series. 

The opponent in the final is already known: Minas defeated Bauru 3 games to 0 and awaits the winner of Flamengo and Franca for the NBB grand final, which begins on June 7th. 

The Game

 

1st Bedroom

The match began with Flamengo dominating the paint. Ruan was responsible for the Mais Querido's first four points of the night. Following this, Shaq Johnson hit a three-pointer that lifted Tijuca. Alexey and Siewert converted opportunities to maintain Mengo's momentum. Ruan, with two points and a foul, led Mais Querido to 19 points. In the final stretch of the quarter, Franca picked up the pace and managed to even the score. The first half ended 25-24 for the São Paulo team. 

2st Bedroom

The second half started off electrifying. The teams ran the court and traded shots constantly, but with poor shooting from both sides. Four minutes in, the score was still 26-26. Jordan Williams from the dead zone and Gui Deodato were successful from the perimeter, giving Flamengo a 7-point lead, 36-29. The teams went into the locker room with Mengão ahead: 43-39.

3st Bedroom

The third quarter saw a slight improvement in both teams' shooting from the field. The back-and-forth continued, but this time it translated into points. At the end of the quarter, Franca led by one point: 61-60.

4st Bedroom

The final quarter was a synergy between the court and the stands. Flamengo regained the lead in the opening minutes and watched Tijuca go wild. With the support of the Biggest Fanbase in the World, the Most Beloved team surged. Ruan scored two points and was fouled—time on the court. Flamengo 70, Franca 65. Next, Gui Deodato scored a three-pointer from the top of the paint. Soon after, it was Alexey's turn to convert his attempt. Flamengo's season MVP tucked the ball under his arm and scored an incredible FOURTEEN points in the final minutes alone to secure the red-and-black victory: 86-75 in the game and 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

Next appointment 

The Pride of the Nation returns to the court next Sunday at 11 a.m. for the fourth game of the series against Franca at Pedrocão. A victory will see the Mais Querido qualify for the NBB finals. 

Starting Quintet 

Alexey, Shaq Johnson, Jordan Williams, Kayo Gonçalves and Ruan Miranda.

Technical: Sergio Hernandez