Flamengo wins the first final match of the State Basketball Championship
The red-blacks worked hard, but beat Tijuca 79-75, and are closer to the sixth title
By From the official website team - in
It was tougher than many expected. The Tijuca team put a lot of effort into the match, but Flamengo got off to a good start in the series that decides this year's Rio de Janeiro Basketball Championship. The current five-time champion and seeking its sixth consecutive title, Flamengo beat the Tijuca team 79-75 at their opponent's gym this Wednesday (15/12) and only needs one more win, on Thursday (16/12) at 8 pm, to secure the title.
Coach Paulo Chupeta surprised with Flamengo's starting lineup. Fred, who was doubtful, started, and Jefferson took over from Teichmann. Duda, still injured, was left out. On the other side, a team packed with former Flamengo players: Ricardinho and Olívia, who were on the 2005 championship team, as well as young Marcellus, who played for Flamengo in 2008 and 2009, and Julio, who was also part of the 2009 squad.
Surprising beginning
It was precisely one of them who became the game's star player: Marcellus. Tijuca's number 11 led the home team's strong performance, which led to a 7-0 lead. Then, Helio came on for Guto in an attempt to give Fla's defense more consistency. It worked; the team stabilized, regained its strength, and tied the score at 11-11. Maso Tijuca, again with Marcellus playing well, opened the scoring again and closed the quarter at 25-20.
The second quarter began with beautiful three-pointers from both sides: Olivia for Tijuca and Marcelinho for Flamengo: 28-23. But while Guto left the field in the first quarter and the team improved, it was with his entry that the team returned to prominence in the second quarter. He managed two steals and four points that put Flamengo back in the game: 32-30. The comeback didn't stop there. The fans got into the game, the team caught on, and finally took the lead, closing the quarter at 41-36.
Fla improves and wins
The third quarter began with Flamengo taking the lead, but Tijuca was always hot on Flamengo's heels. The match was tightly contested, with the margin in Flamengo's favor remaining four to five points. Tijuca managed to tie the score at 49-49 after a technical foul by Bábby, and turned the score around with a three-pointer by Ricardinho (52-49). But Flamengo maintained its composure and, encouraged by the crowd, finished the quarter ahead: 60-55.
Paulo Chupeta's team only increased its lead in the final period. Tijuca couldn't keep up the pace, and Flamengo, with Jefferson and Helio in inspired form, opened the scoring again, opening up their biggest lead: 69-78. After that, Tijuca had to fight to equalize, while Flamengo managed to secure the victory, which ended up being a four-point victory: 79-75.
Flamengo started with: Fred (4), Guto (6), Marcelinho (22), Jefferson (10) and Bábby (4). Entered: Teichmann (2), Hélio (21), Wagner (10).
Coach Paulo Chupeta surprised with Flamengo's starting lineup. Fred, who was doubtful, started, and Jefferson took over from Teichmann. Duda, still injured, was left out. On the other side, a team packed with former Flamengo players: Ricardinho and Olívia, who were on the 2005 championship team, as well as young Marcellus, who played for Flamengo in 2008 and 2009, and Julio, who was also part of the 2009 squad.
Surprising beginning
It was precisely one of them who became the game's star player: Marcellus. Tijuca's number 11 led the home team's strong performance, which led to a 7-0 lead. Then, Helio came on for Guto in an attempt to give Fla's defense more consistency. It worked; the team stabilized, regained its strength, and tied the score at 11-11. Maso Tijuca, again with Marcellus playing well, opened the scoring again and closed the quarter at 25-20.
The second quarter began with beautiful three-pointers from both sides: Olivia for Tijuca and Marcelinho for Flamengo: 28-23. But while Guto left the field in the first quarter and the team improved, it was with his entry that the team returned to prominence in the second quarter. He managed two steals and four points that put Flamengo back in the game: 32-30. The comeback didn't stop there. The fans got into the game, the team caught on, and finally took the lead, closing the quarter at 41-36.
Fla improves and wins
The third quarter began with Flamengo taking the lead, but Tijuca was always hot on Flamengo's heels. The match was tightly contested, with the margin in Flamengo's favor remaining four to five points. Tijuca managed to tie the score at 49-49 after a technical foul by Bábby, and turned the score around with a three-pointer by Ricardinho (52-49). But Flamengo maintained its composure and, encouraged by the crowd, finished the quarter ahead: 60-55.
Paulo Chupeta's team only increased its lead in the final period. Tijuca couldn't keep up the pace, and Flamengo, with Jefferson and Helio in inspired form, opened the scoring again, opening up their biggest lead: 69-78. After that, Tijuca had to fight to equalize, while Flamengo managed to secure the victory, which ended up being a four-point victory: 79-75.
Flamengo started with: Fred (4), Guto (6), Marcelinho (22), Jefferson (10) and Bábby (4). Entered: Teichmann (2), Hélio (21), Wagner (10).