Flamengo went to Pato Branco, Paraná, for its twentieth participation in the 2019/2020 season of Novo Basquete Brasil. The confrontation, with Pato Basquete, took place at the SESI gym, on the night of this Wednesday (5), with victory for Rubro-Negro da Gávea by 86 to 71. After a balanced first half, Flamengo used the experience and quality of the athletes that place it at the top of the NBB table to define with some ease the game in the second half of the clash. 

"Everyone expected it to be a 20- or 30-point game, but Pato plays well at home, and we already knew that. In the first half, their performance was very good, and in the second, we were able to see where they were scoring and defend their powerful possession. We then opened up a lead in the match and held on to it until the end," analyzes Marquinhos.

The game

The first quarter was marked by a tight battle between the leaders and the bottom of the table. Despite being on opposite sides, Gustavo De Conti's team didn't play its best basketball in the period, wasting some opportunities that were capitalized on by the opponent. Marquinhos took responsibility and led the red-and-blacks to the lead in the fourth quarter. At the end of the quarter, Flamengo 22 x 19 Pato Basquete. 

The start of the second quarter was also not positive for the Mais Querido. With six minutes remaining, the score was 13-4 for the home team. It was then that Gustavinho called a timeout, reorganized his team, and Flamengo tightened its defense, taking the lead. With better shooting and alternating zone and one-on-one defense, FlaBasquete controlled the second half of the period and closed with a 41-36 lead. 

The second half was different from the beginning, with Flamengo dominating. Marquinhos, Eloy Vargas, and Leo Demetrio all scored, blocking Pato's three-pointers, and the team locked down defense, ending the third quarter 52-67. Flamengo's organization and strength continued into the final period, with a large 15-point lead in the final score. The game ended, and Flamengo defeated Pato Basquete 86-71.

"We're coming off a very tough run of games, with a lot of traveling... that's why it's so important for us to have a very strong squad, because we need all our players to be strong to help the team. Each game sees someone stand out, and today was my day, but tomorrow it could be Olivinha, Balbi, or any other player. We have to keep working hard to get good results," celebrated the inspired Marquinhos, the game's standout player with 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.

Flamengo now heads to Mogi, where they will face the home team on the 8th, at 12:50 pm, at Ginásio Professor Hugo Ramos.