Undefeated champion of the League of the Americas, with a ticket to the World Cup already stamped. On Saturday night (March 22.03), a packed Maracanãzinho was the stage for Flamengo's unprecedented title. Marcelinho led all scorers with 24 points and was named MVP; Olivinha led all rebounders with eight, and Nico led all waiters with three assists. The 85-78 score for the "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved) told everyone who the champion was. Before the match began, a tribute was paid to Oscar Schmidt, Flamengo's greatest basketball idol, who was cheered on by the fans, who chanted at the top of their lungs: "Ole, Olá, Oscar, Oscar"; certainly the greatest tribute was the World Cup spot, which, according to Oscar, had already been secured since Flamengo qualified for the Final Four.

"We have several stages in basketball, and with each round, we strive for the best result. Tonight was spectacular: the first (League of the Americas) final in Brazil, and consequently in Rio, the first final between two Brazilian teams, and Flamengo, undefeated champion. All the athletes, coaching staff, directors, and advisors deserve congratulations. We were champions, but in two days we're back with our minds on the NBB. First, focus on the national championship and then think about the World Cup. We know we still have a lot to improve, but we feel a sense of accomplishment after a lot of hard work," said the club's executive director of Olympic sports, Marcelo Vido.

 

Olivinha opened the scoring after his first offensive rebound of the game. With every play in Flamengo's favor, the Nação erupted in the gym. The first quarter started very evenly, with both teams scoring back and forth. Flamengo grew into the game, at the pace of the Sixth Player, and accumulated a 10-point lead in the first quarter: 25-15. Olivinha, with seven points, was the leading scorer of the period, as well as the leading rebounder with four. In the second quarter, Meyinsse excelled in the paint, both defensively and offensively. For Pinheiros, the three-pointers began falling, and the São Paulo team took the lead: 37-35. But the red-and-black team soon came back. With two baskets from Marcelinho – one of them a three-pointer – Flamengo took the lead to 40-37. After a steal from Gegê, the red-and-black point guard followed up with a beautiful run and assist, allowing Marcelinho to score two more, and Pinheiros called a timeout. The Most Beloved went into the break winning 46 to 40.

 

The third quarter was the most evenly matched yet. After Pinheiros tied the game at 50-50, the teams remained evenly matched throughout, and the final quarter began with the scoreboard showing 61-60 for Flamengo. The final quarter continued like the third: a heated and evenly matched game, as expected from a match between the Brazilian champion and the then-champion of the Americas. With a three-pointer from Marcelinho, Flamengo tied the game at 70-70, and the fans in the stands erupted, chanting, "We're going to be champions." With two minutes remaining, Flamengo reached a six-point lead, forcing its opponent to call a timeout. Flamengo held on to its lead, and with 38 seconds remaining, the score was 81-76 for Flamengo. The team performed like true champions and held on to the victory until the final second, to the delight of the Flamengo fans who packed the Maracanãzinho stadium. The title crowned an impeccable campaign, made up of great victories and no defeats.

"Without a doubt, the fans were crucial to the title. They threw a beautiful party, packed the gym, and had us excited from start to finish. The game was very tough, until the final quarter the lead was always minimal, just one point... We looked out on the court and saw everyone singing, there was no way we couldn't win here at home. We put Flamengo's name in history as the first team from the club to win the Liga das Américas and secure a spot in the World Cup," celebrated Olivinha.

Captain Marcelinho Machado also celebrated Flamengo's victory and congratulated the team for their determination this season. "The group deserves congratulations for everything they've done, not just today, but throughout the entire championship. The start of the season was very difficult, with players returning from injuries. We were patient, and everyone excelled to reach this decisive moment and win this title for Flamengo," he said.

Coach José Neto expressed confidence in his squad for the World Cup, praising his players and the Flamengo fans. "I'm very proud to wear the Flamengo jersey, and I think it's possible to beat the European team (who will be Flamengo's opponent in the World Cup). We're used to thinking big, because Flamengo deserves it. And the players have the attitude to achieve it. Today, there were several key players, and the fans certainly weren't just supporting actors," he said.