While the State Basketball Championship isn't particularly well-known for its large number of teams, or even its short duration, it's nonetheless very useful for the new FlaBasquete group. With seven new players on the roster, Flamengo used the competition to gel and develop a strategy aligned with Gustavo De Conti's work philosophy, who took over after years with a different system. 

The job was done, well done, with eight wins in eight matches and qualification for the final against Botafogo secured. The first match will be this Tuesday at Tijuca Tênis Clube at 20 pm. The second match of the best-of-three tournament will be on Thursday at the same time at General Severiano. Both matches will have a single-person crowd, and tickets for Tuesday's match are already on sale online. Click and guarantee your entry here.  

With no friendlies before the competition, Flamengo started by facing Botafogo away from home and needed to immediately show recovery and assert their favoritism. With less time to prepare, the Rubro-Negro won, but by their lowest score in the competition (57 to 67). With the players' chemistry and greater knowledge, the team evolved and showcased more of their arsenal of plays. Against Niterói in the second round, the team reached 100 points in Gávea and came very close against Vasco in the third game, when they scored 93 to 69 at Tijuca Tênis Clube. The score remained at the same level in the following rounds, demonstrating that the team was taking shape. For coach Gustavinho, the State Championship was essential precisely because of this crucial factor for a team that will travel to the US to face the Orlando Magic and then return with the NBB knocking on the door. 

"O The State Championship is very important because we have a new group. Seven players arrived. It's difficult to build rapport without friendlies. The Carioca Championship, then, was even better because they weren't friendlies. They were matches that mattered. In this regard, without a doubt, Flamengo for the upcoming season, a team that only stops playing when time runs out. 

Already a seven-time state champion with Flamengo and with plenty of time on the team, winger Olivinha wants another title and praises the team's performance in the competition, always striving to score more points, even with matches already decided. For the experienced player, the Carioca is the perfect experience to gain chemistry and understand the style of play that Gustavinho wants to impose on the team. 

"The balance is very positive. We're still at the beginning of the season, with a completely new group. The Carioca helped us build our synergy and grow as a team with each match. Gustavo has a new philosophy, which the team quickly assimilated, and we put it on the court. We approach every game like a final, and that's how we usually do, no matter the competition. We'll always go in with the mindset of winning." and to do the best job possible", concluded the player. 

The campaign for the Tridecacampeonato still has two chapters guaranteed. If Flamengo wants to win undefeated, they need to beat Botafogo on Tuesday and Thursday. Given their record, there's no reason not to believe this is possible. The team already holds the record for consecutive state titles (12), the second-highest (10, between 1951 and 1960), and is looking to extend their tally with a 45th trophy. 

The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.