A team with soul and focus. That's how coach José Neto described Flamengo's performance in Saturday's victory over Vasco da Gama at Arena Carioca 1 in the NBB10. The final score of 81-81 was fair for a team that started poorly but managed to level the playing field, with a spectacular performance from Marcelinho, who scored 22 points and was the game's top scorer.
After the game, the coach spoke to reporters about his team's performance and gave credit to the players for the victory.
"This team has won many titles. When they step onto the court, they need to use that experience to our advantage. Today, the merit was entirely down to the players, who entered the match with a much greater desire to win than their opponents. They focused on victory, and that helped us win. I dedicate the result to them," said Neto, who made significant changes to his team in the first quarter, when he saw Vasco open up a lead. Afterward, Flamengo gradually found its feet and, once in front, stopped their opponent from taking the lead.
"The big change (in the game) was not allowing them to play like they were used to. They started very comfortably and we took that away from them. The players changed the game and did what we needed to do to win," added the coach, who explained the below-average start and the overcoming from the third quarter onwards, dismissing any anxiety in the first quarter.
"This game is special. And if the team was anxious, it was beneficial. But I didn't see any anxiety. I saw a team focused on winning and the merit of the players who step onto the court to win. That's how it should be. Teamwork is what will make the difference in achieving our goals.
Marcelinho's performance also drew praise from Neto. The Flamengo captain came on in the second quarter and led the team to a victory over their biggest rival.
"Marcelin is like that. We know that going into the game, it's difficult for him to think about anything other than turning around an adverse situation. It's a source of pride for Flamengo and for all of us. Everyone knows what it means for him to play a game like that," the coach explained.
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 Club.
After the game, the coach spoke to reporters about his team's performance and gave credit to the players for the victory.
"This team has won many titles. When they step onto the court, they need to use that experience to our advantage. Today, the merit was entirely down to the players, who entered the match with a much greater desire to win than their opponents. They focused on victory, and that helped us win. I dedicate the result to them," said Neto, who made significant changes to his team in the first quarter, when he saw Vasco open up a lead. Afterward, Flamengo gradually found its feet and, once in front, stopped their opponent from taking the lead.
"The big change (in the game) was not allowing them to play like they were used to. They started very comfortably and we took that away from them. The players changed the game and did what we needed to do to win," added the coach, who explained the below-average start and the overcoming from the third quarter onwards, dismissing any anxiety in the first quarter.
"This game is special. And if the team was anxious, it was beneficial. But I didn't see any anxiety. I saw a team focused on winning and the merit of the players who step onto the court to win. That's how it should be. Teamwork is what will make the difference in achieving our goals.
Marcelinho's performance also drew praise from Neto. The Flamengo captain came on in the second quarter and led the team to a victory over their biggest rival.
"Marcelin is like that. We know that going into the game, it's difficult for him to think about anything other than turning around an adverse situation. It's a source of pride for Flamengo and for all of us. Everyone knows what it means for him to play a game like that," the coach explained.
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 Club.