No one said it would be easy. And it certainly wasn't. A duel between giant teams in Brazilian basketball, one playing its last chips to stay alive in the season, the other looking to close out the series in front of its home crowd and secure a spot in the NBB semifinals. These ingredients combined at Arena Carioca to produce a spectacular match between Flamengo and Minas Tênis Clube, decided by the smallest of details and securing Flamengo's qualification for the next round. After trailing for three quarters, Flamengo rallied in the final 10 minutes, tied the game with five seconds remaining at 83-83, and won the match 97-92 in overtime, to the delight and excitement of the Arena Carioca crowd. The semifinal begins on April 30th, but the match dates have not yet been set. 

It's unfair to focus on individual highlights. Arthur Pecos changed the game in the fourth quarter, unleashing an energy that carried his teammates toward the comeback, but it was Marquinhos, with a perfect overtime, who finished with 21 points and heard the crowd chant "MPV" for the first time this season. 

The Game

It was a comeback game. Flamengo started with Minas Gerais dominating the court. The first quarter was significantly below par, with just 15 points, while Minas Gerais scored 28, with good three-point shooting. Flamengo, on the other hand, was shooting from distance without success. Of their five shots, only one fell, by Ramon. The half was lost, and they needed to recover in the second quarter. 

A different Flamengo took the court. Still struggling defensively, but with a more precise attack, the team scored 18 points to Minas' 17, closing the overall deficit. Rhett came off the bench to score nine points, being the red-and-black team's standout performer in the half. The final deficit was 12 points, one less than the first quarter, but it was clear on the court that the situation would change after halftime. 

José Neto shook up the team in the locker room. And Flamengo came back with a vengeance. Three-pointers began falling more frequently. Cubillán and Ramon honed their skills, while Varejão racked up points in the paint. The deficit reached seven points, but the Minas Gerais team was on target from distance and continued to maintain its edge. The third quarter ended 58-67, the smallest margin of the game, but still with a long way to go. 

It was through patience, biding their time, and waiting for the best opportunity to shoot that Flamengo managed to close the gap in the final quarter. "GO FOR THEM, MENGO!" the stands chanted. The team responded on the court. With four minutes remaining, Pecos invaded the paint and closed the gap to six. Minas called a timeout. The Arena ignited. 

Through fouls, Minas maintained its lead. Varejão was ejected from the game with five fouls, bringing the lead to nine. Cubillán made a steal on defense and reduced the deficit. Minas scored, returning to nine. Neto called a timeout. On the return, Marquinhos scored two more. Seven more. One minute to go, JP Batista reduced the deficit to five. Forty-two seconds. Pecos, three. Two more. Five seconds. Marquinhos, two free throws. He converted. Overtime. 

WITH MY SACRED MANTLE. THE FLAG IN MY HAND. THE MARACA IS OURS. THE PARTY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. 

When the Nation and the Mantle come together, no one can stop them. 

In the final five minutes, JP put Flamengo ahead. Their ball stopped falling. A free kick went to Flamengo, and Marquinhos extended the lead. Minas was unable to attack. They felt the red-and-black's strength, and that's when Marquinhos called the game. With two-thirty minutes remaining, he fired a three-pointer, making it 92-86. The fans chanted his name. The season's leading MVP candidate lived up to the honor and scored two more. 

With fifty seconds remaining, the play of the night. Marquinhos stopped in front of the defense, waited for the clock to show three seconds before the shot, and shot. A three-pointer. 97-90. The crowning glory. FlaBasquete eliminated Minas. After trailing for 39 minutes and 55 seconds, Flamengo became the GIANT FIVE-TIME NBB CHAMPION in overtime and secured their spot. Tough luck for those who come next. 

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.