Marquinhos praises the team's stance against a more limited opponent
For the wing, Flamengo knew how to take advantage of the circumstances of the game to continue the season
By Lucas Dantas - in
Tuesday night marked the MVP's reunion with the nation. Marquinhos hadn't celebrated a basket in front of Flamengo fans since May 07th. In the 100-36 victory against Niterói, in Gávea, in the second round of the State Championship, the number 11 scored just seven points, but grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists in 21 minutes on the court.
While Marquinhos didn't achieve his best attacking performance, he preferred to emphasize the team's performance against a limited opponent. Flamengo didn't slow down, using the match as a way to strengthen itself and prepare for bigger challenges later in the season, as well as improve its rhythm and evolve as a team.
"I'm happy to be back playing at home in front of our fans. Although Niterói is a limited opponent, we're looking to evolve as a team. We're improving and looking for the rhythm of the game to perform at 100%. We'll acquire more throughout the season, and I'm pleased that we tried to play much of the game today at the high pace that is characteristic of Gustavinho's work," commented the winger.
Next Saturday, Flamengo will face a derby. Vasco da Gama will be their opponent in the third round of the State Championship, at 17 pm at Tijuca Tênis Clube. Against their traditional rival, Marquinhos expects a much tougher match and a good test for the rest of the season.
"Flamengo and Vasco are always tough matches. I hope we can play well on Saturday and improve further. We'll have a challenging semester ahead of us, and Saturday's match is crucial for us to keep improving," he concluded.
Tickets for the classic are now on sale at guicheweb.com.br. The game will have a single Flamengo fan base and will be broadcast on FlaTV.
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.