Flamengo beat Corinthians 94-88 on Saturday morning (10), at Wlamir Marques, in São Paulo, and opened 1-0 in the best-of-five series of the NBB quarterfinals. Rubro-Negro will now have two games at home, at Tijuca Tênis Clube, to try to close the series: the first on Tuesday, at 20:15 pm, and the second on Thursday, at 18:30 pm.

In a tough game with comebacks on both sides, Flamengo and Corinthians played a duel worthy of the playoffs. Flamengo started well but felt the absence of centers Taya Gallizzi and Ruan Miranda late in the second quarter, when the home team took the lead. After halftime, Flamengo put on another rotation, dominated the third quarter, and regained control of the match. Alexey Borges, always the man, was the team's star performer, leading the comeback with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and a decisive double-double in the final stretch of the red-and-black victory.

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The game

1st Bedroom

Without both of its centers—Taya Gallizzi, out for the season with a knee injury, and Ruan, ruled out of the match due to muscle discomfort—Flamengo had to reinvent itself from the opening minutes. With an unusual starting five on the court, the Rubro-Negro saw Corinthians take the lead. But Flamengo quickly adjusted its defensive details and took the lead. While the São Paulo team focused on concentrating its plays inside the paint, Flamengo found solutions on the perimeter and forced mistakes from the opposing team. The period ended with a three-pointer by Lucas Siewert, which guaranteed the Rubro-Negro a 4-point lead: 25-21.

2st Bedroom

The red-and-black momentum continued at the start of the second half, with Lucas Siewert and Jhonatan Luz converting baskets. On defense, Flamengo remained intense, forcing Corinthians into mistakes and showing commitment despite key absences in the paint. Despite their limitations, the "Mais Querido" fought hard, but in the final minutes of the quarter, Corinthians managed to string together a strong offensive sequence and turn the game around. São Paulo's comeback sent the teams into the locker room with a 50-43 lead. 

3st Bedroom

Flamengo returned from the locker room with a different attitude – thanks to Shaq Johnson. Straight away, two consecutive three-pointers from the American put the Mais Querido back in the game. The team felt the momentum, imposed its rhythm from start to finish, and had its best run of the match: 28-17 and the lead. Alexey, always consistent, was a key player in the comeback, while Lucas Siewert converted another three-pointer in the final seconds, confirming the advantage: 71-67 for Flamengo heading into the final quarter.

4st Bedroom

As a great playoff game dictates, the final quarter was a tight affair. Corinthians tied the game in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, and the match continued to be a close affair. In the decisive moment, the red-and-black defense and Alexey Borges's star player shone again. The point guard, Flamengo's star player this season, was relentless: 25 points, 13 rebounds, and a double-double to secure a 94-88 victory in the first game of the quarterfinals.

Next appointment

Now, the Pride of the Nation returns to the court on Tuesday (13), at 20:15 pm, for the second game of the NBB quarterfinals, at Tijuca Tênis Clube. Secure your ticket! 

Starting Quintet

Alexey, Shaq Johnson, Jordan Williams, Kayo Gonçalves and Lucas Siewert. 

Coach: Sergio Hernandez.