Final stretch for the captain: Marcelinho begins the last playoff of his career
In his last season, the number 4 put on a show in the qualifying phase and wants more in the knockout stages.
By Mariana Sa - inNow it's time to decide. It's time to separate the boys from the men so we can see who will lift the New Basketball Brazil 10 trophy at the end of the finals. With blood in his eyes and intense dedication, one player knows that this year's playoffs mean it's now or never. For Marcelinho Machado, this will be his last chance to make a splash in the decisive stage of the national championship. In his final season, the captain is seeking another NBB title, the sixth of his career.
If anyone thought the number 4 wouldn't be decisive this season, they were wrong. With his typical talent and strength, Marcelinho didn't disappoint the nation and was exactly the player we knew during his Flamengo years. The captain set Tijuca Tênis Clube, Arena Carioca 1, and every gymnasium he had the opportunity to visit for the final time on fire.
He played 24 games in the qualifying round, averaging 18.7 minutes of play, 8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. Coming off the bench to change matches and make a difference, Marcelinho drew attention for his decisiveness in matches against Vasco, Vitória, Basquete Cearense, Bauru Franca, and even Minas Gerais.
"We expect it to be a very tough playoff, just like the championship has been so far. We can take as a basis this fight for better positions until the last round and the start of the knockout stage, which had a game between fifth and twelfth place that went to overtime. We need to know that we'll find very close duels and focus on what we need to do to be champions. We're very confident," said the captain.
This Sunday (15), the first battle will begin. For Marcelinho, it will be the chance to end his career as he spent it: as a champion. With a fundamental role in the regular season, the captain knows how to be what Flamengo needs, when Flamengo needs it. Let the playoffs begin. Let the final stretch of the number 4's brilliant career begin.
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.