Coming from an important victory against Pinheiros last Friday (4), the red-black basketball team took to the court on Sunday morning (6) to face Caxias do Sul, again away from home. At the Vasco da Gama gym, the Mais Querido beat their opponents 97-80 and further established themselves in the lead of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB).

With remarkable offensive power throughout the game, it's worth highlighting the red-and-black team's strength in this triumph: three players finished the match with double-digit points. Olivinha led all scorers with 29 points, Marquinhos scored 24, and JP Batista scored 14.

The first quarter began with Flamengo showing off all their offensive prowess. With a well-formed attack, Flamengo managed to close the period with a 13-point lead: Caxias do Sul 15-28 Flamengo. In the second quarter, coach José Neto's men made good use of their defensive prowess, as they only needed to manage their significant lead. And that's what happened. Flamengo went into halftime with a 50-31 lead.

Flamengo's offense continued to give the opposing defense a hard time in the third quarter, with the Red-Blacks dominating, 68-45. In the final quarter, Marquinhos reached the individual mark of 1,000 rebounds in the competition, and Olivinha demonstrated the strength of the Red-Black squad. With 29 points and 12 rebounds, the number 16 came off the bench to be the game's standout performer, achieving a double-double – double-digits in two fundamentals. The result? Flamengo 97-80 Caxias do Sul. 

Flamengo remains top of the NBB with only four losses in 23 matches. With an 82.6% success rate, the Mais Querido is ever closer to securing first place in the qualifying round.

Mengão only needs one more victory to guarantee its place in the quarterfinals of NBB 8. The Mais Querido's next commitment will be in the great Final Four of the League of the Americas, on Friday (11), at 18:45 pm (Brasília time), against Bauru, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. For the NBB, Flamengo only plays again on March 16, against Brasília. 

 

The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo adult basketball team relies on direct funding from its sponsors – SKY and Estácio – in addition to investments from Tim via the State Sports Incentive Law/State Secretariat for Sports, Leisure and Youth (ICMS).