Flamengo beat Corinthians 80-78 on Sunday morning (18), in São Paulo, closing the best-of-five series of the quarterfinals of the New Basketball Brazil (NBB) 3-1 and securing a place in the semifinals of the national competition. Now, Mais Querido awaits the winner of the series between Franca and Pinheiros to find out their opponent in the next phase.

It was a breathtaking series. Flamengo and Corinthians played matches worthy of a Brazilian basketball elite playoff. The first half of Sunday's match saw a more relaxed game, with the Mais Querido dominating—but the opposing team fought back and even turned the game around in the final minutes. That's when Alexey Borges's star power emerged. The Flamengo and Brazilian national team point guard was decisive, scoring the final points of the match and putting Flamengo ahead with one possession remaining. In the final play, Ruan blocked the ball past Elinho, and Mengão made it 3-1 in the best-of-five semifinals.

Since Flamengo is the higher-ranked team on its side of the bracket, the club will have home-court advantage in the semifinals, regardless of the opponent. Therefore, the second, third, and fifth games (if necessary) of the series will be in Rio de Janeiro. The first and fourth (if necessary) will be away.

The game

1st Bedroom

Flamengo started the match with the intensity the occasion demanded. Focused from the opening minutes, the red-and-black team capitalized on their opponent's mistakes to open up an early lead. On offense, they naturally found space and solutions. The final stretch of the first quarter was marked by an exchange of baskets between the teams, but the Mais Querido (Most Beloved) came out on top in the first half: 24-23.

2st Bedroom

The red-and-black intensity remained strong in the second quarter. Flamengo returned to the court with the same concentration and dominated the first minutes of the half, conceding no points and punishing their opponents with counterattacks. Less than two minutes into the half, the lead was already seven points, forcing the Corinthians coach to stop the game. The break didn't slow down the momentum of the "Mais Querido," which continued to grow. Jhonatan Luz hit a three-pointer that extended the lead to 12: 37-25. With authority, Flamengo controlled the rest of the period and went into the break leading 48-38.

3st Bedroom

It was a red-and-black morning at the Wlamir Marques Gymnasium. Flamengo returned from the locker room with the same dominance and quickly extended the lead built in the first two periods. Everything seemed to be going well for the Rio de Janeiro team. However, Corinthians showed a powerful comeback and managed to close the gap throughout the fourth quarter. Despite the opposing pressure, Flamengo's large lead held off the comeback attempt. At the end of the third quarter, the "Mais Querido" remained ahead: 62-58.

4st Bedroom

Buoyed by their momentum at the end of the previous half, Corinthians managed to turn the game around. With just over a minute remaining, the home team led by four points. That's when Alexey Borges and the Flamengo defense shined. With two baskets from the point guard and two forced turnovers, Flamengo regained the lead with one possession remaining. In the decisive play, Elinho made a run, but was stopped by a monumental block from Ruan in the paint. Victory for Mengão: 80-78.

Starting Quintet

Alexey, Shaq Johnson, Jordan Williams, Kayo Gonçalves and Ruan Miranda. 

Coach: Sergio Hernandez.