In the penultimate round of the Champions League Americas group stage, FlaBasquete beat Minas 70-61 on Thursday night (25), at the Angel Sandrin gymnasium, in Córdoba-ARG. The red-black highlight in the match was Marquinhos with 17 points and five assists. With the result, Mais Querido guaranteed early qualification for the competition's playoffs.

The game
The first quarter started fairly evenly, with Leo Demetrio scoring the first two points for Mais Querido. In the opening minutes, both teams made some offensive errors, and the score was quite low. With three minutes remaining, Hettsheimeir scored two points and gave Fla the lead. Olivinha then hit two consecutive three-pointers. The red-and-black team finished ahead 17-15.

In the second period, the game remained evenly matched. Hettsheimeir showed his calibrated hands and converted two more three-pointers. Martinez was excellent on defense and managed to steal some important shots. Making his debut with Manto, Diego Figueiredo immediately demonstrated his repertoire with a three-pointer. FlaBasquete gradually loosened up the match, showing solid defense and scoring points on offense. Opening a nine-point lead, Mengão remained ahead: 38-29.

Coming back into the third period, Minas Gerais managed to close the gap a bit. Minas Gerais struggled to score, while Minas Gerais grew in the game and capitalized on its opportunities. In the final seconds, Marquinhos appeared at the right time and converted a three-pointer for Mengão, which maintained its 51-47 lead.

In the final quarter, the match remained very even, with Minas pushing harder to try and turn the score around. But the red-and-black team managed its advantage well and emerged with another crucial victory: 70-61.

With four wins in four games, FlaBasquete secured an early spot in the Champions League playoffs and, in addition, secured first place in Group D.

Highlights
Marquinhos - 17 points and 5 assists;
Hettsheimeir - 11 points;
Olivinha - 10 points and 8 rebounds;
Rafael Mineiro - 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Next appointment
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court this Friday (26) to face Instituto Córdoba, at 19:10 pm, again at the Angel Sandrin gym.

Starting Quintet
Yago, Lucas Martinez, Marquinhos, Leo Demetrio and Rafael Mineiro.


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 Committee of Clubs (CBC).