The Brazilian national team is a stronghold for Mengão! Marquinhos, Anderson Varejão, Rafael Mineiro, and fitness coach Bruno Nicolaci will represent the country in the Basketball World Cup qualifiers. In this series of matches, the red-and-blacks will face the national teams of the Dominican Republic and Canada. In an interview with the Official Website, the players spoke about this moment. 

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"I'm very happy at Flamengo, because I work hard to help my entire team as much as possible. Being here with the Brazilian national team makes me think I'm on the right path. I feel very good here with this call-up, but I know I have to give my best, because my position is highly contested. We have two important games at home, where we can guarantee our qualification, and we will certainly do our best, thinking one game at a time," said Mineiro.

Returning to the national team, Marquinhos spoke about the reception he received from his teammates. 

"It's a great feeling to be wearing my country's shirt. I was very well received by the coach and the players, and I hope to be able to play well and help Brazil qualify for the World Cup," said the red-and-black winger.

Varejão, a regular name in Petrovic's squad, assessed the current situation and showed focus on Brazil's pursuit of qualification. 

"Another call-up. I'm very happy to be able to represent the Brazilian National Team and help us qualify for the World Cup in China next year. We know we have two very important games, which, if won, could put us in a great position in the Qualifiers. We've had three training sessions, we're motivated and focused, and we know that with the fans in attendance we'll play well. We're going to go after both opponents with full strength," said Varejão. 

Brazil will host the Dominican Republic this Friday (30), at the Wlamir Marques Gymnasium, in São Paulo (SP), at 19:15 pm, for the second phase of the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers.  

The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, 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 generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.