Flamengo is about to begin the continent's most important basketball competition. This Monday night at 20:30 PM, coach Paulo Chupeta's team begins its quest for its first-ever Liga das Américas title. Later, the red-and-blacks will face Capitanes de Arecibo of Puerto Rico on Margarita Island, Venezuela, with live coverage on SporTV. Without injured star Marcelinho Machado, the Gávea team is banking on overcoming obstacles to secure a spot in the Final Four.

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Reaching the final four of the competition would be an unprecedented feat for Flamengo, which was eliminated in the first round in the first two editions of the League, which began in 2007. Center Coloneze highlighted the difficulty of facing the strong teams of Capitanes, Halcones Rojos, from Mexico, and the home team, Espartanos de Margarita. The number 45 believes that the group's unity will be crucial in the competition.

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"They don't play as rhythmically. They play more at a fast pace, which is the game we like to play. I think we have what it takes to qualify. We've had a long and tiring journey, and unfortunately we're without Marcelinho, who only returns to the NBB in January, but the group is very focused on bringing this unprecedented title to Flamengo. We have to outdo ourselves," he said.

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Mengão's first match in the tournament promises to be a tough one. The Puerto Rican team is considered the other powerhouse in the group. Capitanes de Arecibo has Bonzi Wells on its roster, a 1.96'10" forward who had standout performances during his 1.90 years in the NBA for teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets. The team also features Larry Ayuso, a 3'XNUMX" forward with a powerful XNUMX-point shot.

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"We know it won't be easy, just like any of the games, but we have to go out on the court and give our best and try to secure that spot in the Final Four," said point guard Hélio, who has been one of Flamengo's standout performers at the start of the season.

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Marcelinho in the crowd - With a bone injury in one of his hands, Marcelinho is out of Mengão's league games. However, he still insists on following the team in Venezuela. "I'm very sad not to be able to play. Being there, I can help in some way. Staying at home, I can't help at all. I'm a player who plays a leadership role, and even though I know I'll be stressed during the games, I can talk to the team. Our group is very strong, and we'll fight to earn a spot in the Final Four," analyzed the number 4.