Competition leader Flamengo faces new challenge in the NBB
Red-black basketball faces Uberlândia, this Tuesday, at the opponent's home
By press office - in
Five days after securing an unprecedented qualification for the second phase of the League of the Americas (with no location or date yet defined), Flamengo is back on the court. The red-black team faces Uberlândia, this Tuesday (18.01), at 20 pm, at Uberlândia Tênis Clube (UTC), in Uberlândia-MG, for the NBB (Novo Basquete Brasil).
Flamengo leads the competition with six wins in seven games (85,71% success rate). Flamengo is the only team with only one loss in the NBB. Uberlândia, led by former point guard Ratto, is in fourth place with seven wins in 10 games (70% success rate). The Minas Gerais team is coming off a home loss to Minas Tênis Clube (61-71).
"It will be a tough match, as Uberlândia will enter the court feeling stung by the loss to Minas. But we are ready and confident," said center Átila.
Flamengo, in turn, won its last three games in the Liga das Américas – Quimsa (ARG), Mavort (EQU), and Español (CHI) – in Ibarra, Ecuador. In the NBB, Flamengo defeated Joinville in the last round in Rio de Janeiro.
For Tuesday's game, the Rio de Janeiro team will still be without center Wagner, who suffered a ligament injury in his left knee during the team's first training session in Ecuador. However, the team is expected to have the return of power forward Jefferson, who suffered an adductor injury in his right thigh in the match against Joinville and was also out for the Liga das Américas. He is training normally and has been cleared by the medical department.
The match will be doubly special for Jefferson. The power forward will complete 100 games for the red and black team and will debut under Argentine coach Gonzalo Garcia, who is managing the team for the second time in the competition.
"The injury made me anxious, but also very motivated. Reaching 100 games is a very important achievement for me. Only those who have worn and continue to wear the red and black jersey understand the satisfaction of playing for this team. As for the new coach, he has a style focused on rotation on the court and likes to give opportunities to all players. I believe I will have a moment to showcase my qualities," he said.
Flamengo leads the competition with six wins in seven games (85,71% success rate). Flamengo is the only team with only one loss in the NBB. Uberlândia, led by former point guard Ratto, is in fourth place with seven wins in 10 games (70% success rate). The Minas Gerais team is coming off a home loss to Minas Tênis Clube (61-71).
"It will be a tough match, as Uberlândia will enter the court feeling stung by the loss to Minas. But we are ready and confident," said center Átila.
Flamengo, in turn, won its last three games in the Liga das Américas – Quimsa (ARG), Mavort (EQU), and Español (CHI) – in Ibarra, Ecuador. In the NBB, Flamengo defeated Joinville in the last round in Rio de Janeiro.
For Tuesday's game, the Rio de Janeiro team will still be without center Wagner, who suffered a ligament injury in his left knee during the team's first training session in Ecuador. However, the team is expected to have the return of power forward Jefferson, who suffered an adductor injury in his right thigh in the match against Joinville and was also out for the Liga das Américas. He is training normally and has been cleared by the medical department.
The match will be doubly special for Jefferson. The power forward will complete 100 games for the red and black team and will debut under Argentine coach Gonzalo Garcia, who is managing the team for the second time in the competition.
"The injury made me anxious, but also very motivated. Reaching 100 games is a very important achievement for me. Only those who have worn and continue to wear the red and black jersey understand the satisfaction of playing for this team. As for the new coach, he has a style focused on rotation on the court and likes to give opportunities to all players. I believe I will have a moment to showcase my qualities," he said.