Flamengo defeats Cerrado and remains at the top of the NBB
With 20 points, Franco Balbi was the top scorer in the match in Brasília
By Helena Petry - inAnother victory in the federal capital! On Sunday night (20), FlaBasquete prevailed and defeated Cerrado 87-67 at the ASCEB gymnasium in Brasília. Mengão remains at the top of the NBB with 11 wins in 12 matches. Author of 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds, Franco Balbi was the top scorer of the match. And on Tuesday there's more! Rubro-Negro takes to the court again against Caxias do Sul, at 20 pm, with broadcast on ESPN.
The game
Fueled by another great performance on Friday (18) against Brasília, Olivinha opened the scoring under the basket, assisting Chuzito shortly after, who scored (4x2). Cerrado responded and took the lead, but only briefly. Rafael Mineiro converted from outside the paint and put Mais Querido back in the lead (7x5). The opponent scored again and Flamengo responded with Hettsheimeir, Balbi, a three-pointer, and again with Mineiro and Olivinha (16x10). The God of Race got two more points and the foul and confirmed the free throw, converting another basket in the sequence and leaving FlaBasquete with 21 to 12 on the scoreboard. The advantage was further extended by Franco Balbi (23x12), forcing Cerrado to call a timeout. Rafa Mineiro stole the ball with less than 20 seconds left in the quarter and dunked. Soon after, Yago also recovered the attack and scored two points, closing the set at 29 to 17.
Balbi and Jhonatan converted early in the second period. Chuzito was fouled and made both free throws (35-22). The Argentine assisted Hettsheimeir for a layup, shortly after also making a free throw (38-24). In a prime moment, Hett spun and scored another basket, making the score 40-24 for "Mais Querido." Yago scored a three-pointer from distance. Cerrado rallied and managed to reduce the lead before halftime, but FlaBasquete remained in the lead at 43-35.
Leo Demetrio started the third period strong and converted a three-pointer (45-40). Chuzito, Balbi and Olivinha scored and gave Flamengo a more comfortable lead in the match (51-40). Demetrio converted another from outside the paint, further increasing the lead on the scoreboard, which showed 54-40. Olivinha, from distance, scored another three, and Balbi repeated the feat (61-48). Hettsheimeir also scored his and Mengão went to the final break with a 65-53 score.
The center shone again at the start of the fourth quarter with two baskets and five points (70-57). Leo Demetrio scored two (73-60). As the clock expired, Yago converted from outside the paint (76-64). Franco Balbi was fouled and made both free throws. Shortly after, El Mago found himself alone and made no mistake, scoring a three-pointer to give the team 81 points. The Argentine continued his cadence and converted another from distance (85-67). Pedro Nunes provided the pass and Leo Demetrio scored the final points for Mengão and the game, which ended 87-67.
Highlights
Balbi - 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds
Hettsheimeir - 15 points, 4 assists and 7 rebounds
Olivinha - 14 points and 9 rebounds
Leo Demetrio - 11 points and 5 rebounds
And now?
FlaBasquete faces Caxias do Sul on Tuesday (22), at 20 pm, again at the ASCEB gym, with broadcast by ESPN.
Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Chuzito, Olivinha, Rafael Mineiro and Hettsheimeir
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).