Flamengo is in the semifinals of the State Basketball Championship. The current four-time Rio de Janeiro champion, the Rubro-Negro, had the best campaign in the qualifying round, and on Wednesday night, they secured their eighth victory in eight games, defeating Club Municipal 87-65 away from home. Despite being exhausted by the marathon of matches in the South American League and the new Basquete Brasil, coach Paulo Chupeta's team lived up to expectations and secured a spot in the next round.

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But it wasn't easy. Without Marcelinho, Jefferson, Alírio, and Ian, who were injured, and with Fred playing very little due to his injury, the Gávea team opened up a 20-8 lead in the first quarter. However, ASP Club Municipal/Pontomix Automóveis/Marinha recovered, played hard in the second quarter, and the first half ended 42-30 for the red-and-blacks, who slowed down significantly as the game progressed.

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Even so, with Duda, who finished with 29 points and was the game's top scorer, inspired on offense, and Teichmann being a lion on defense, recording five blocks, Flamengo maintained its lead and won the game 87-65, securing its spot in the semifinals. The opponent will be Cabo Frio, who decided the last State Championship against Mengão, and the series begins next Monday in the Lagos Region.

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Flamengo: Hélio 10 Dedé 5 Wagner 13 Fred 2 Duda 29 Igor 0 Boccardo 7 Teichmann 12 Coloneze 9
Municipal: Fernandão 0 Igor 11 Julio 11 Bruninho 5 Rodrigo 2 Jones 12 Diego 5 Leandro 19