A thrilling match with a red-and-black victory! Playing away from home for the first time in the 2023/24 NBB season, FlaBasquete won the classic against Vasco 68-65, on Friday night (10), at the São Januário gymnasium. The match ended in a draw in regulation time, and in overtime, the Mais Querido secured the victory with a sequence of free throws in the final seconds. Argentine Cuello was the star of the duel with 20 points scored.

Highlights
Loku Cuello – 20 points;
Didi – 15 points;
Gabriel Jaú – 14 points;
Gui Deodato – 11 points.

1st Bedroom
Flamengo's first points came from Franco Balbi, who burst into the paint and scored two. But it was Vasco who started the derby ahead, opening up a seven-point lead. Gui Deodato, on a layup, added two more for Flamengo. Gabriel Jaú made an individual play in the paint and nailed two. Early in the game, Flamengo's Pride was lacking in three-point shooting, allowing Vasco to counterattack. On the court, Didi scored two three-pointers, leaving Flamengo just one point behind their opponents at the end of the quarter: 16-15.

2st Bedroom
At the start of the second period, the derby remained evenly matched. Loku Cuello escaped his marker and converted from the perimeter, adding another three points for Flamengo. Filipovity, in the dead zone, hit his first three-pointer of the match. Cuello moved forward, got to the paint, and scored on a layup. Gabriel Jaú received a beautiful assist from Balbi and went in for a dunk. The teams alternated on the scoreboard, keeping the game electrifying. The first half was so evenly matched that it ended tied at 31-31.

3st Bedroom
FlaBasquete came back from halftime strong and took the lead in the opening two minutes. As the period progressed, Vasco rallied and regained the lead. Gui Deodato stylishly scored another three-pointer. The red-and-black team persisted with three-point shots, but their success was poor. The home team finished the period leading 49-44.

4st Bedroom
Early in the fourth quarter, Didi converted two free throws, and Cuello followed suit with two more. Gui Deodato quickly transitioned to attack, escaped the defense, and scored two more. In the final minutes, the game became thrilling! Every point was crucial, as the margin was only one point. Didi went inside, faced the defense, made two, and was fouled. He converted another free throw, tying the game with seven seconds remaining. The point was decisive and sent the game into overtime.

Early in overtime, Didi received the ball on the perimeter and the ball fell. Vasco responded quickly and also hit a three-pointer with former Flamengo player Marquinhos. Cuello was decisive, converting two free throws for Flamengo. The Argentine then hit four more free throws to gain a four-point lead with 16 seconds remaining. It's worth noting that he was the game's top scorer with 20 points. In the final four seconds, Balbi also hit a free throw, securing Mengão's comeback victory over their rival: 68-65.

Next challenge
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court on Monday (13) to face Cerrado, at 20 pm, at Maracanãzinho, in another round of the NBB.

Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Loku Cuello, Filipovity and Gabriel Jaú.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.