_{* CORRECTED - Game with the Universe/Brasília will be this Sunday, 31/01, at 10 am, and not at 11 am, as had been incorrectly published}.


Flamengo's basketball team showed on Friday night why it fills its fans with pride. In a thrilling match played in Belo Horizonte, coach Paulo Chupeta's team outdid itself, defeating Minas Gerais, second place in the 2009-2010 New Basketball Brazil tournament, 101-94, with a stellar performance by forward Marcelinho Machado, who scored 29 points. Jefferson and Teichmann, with 12, also stood out.

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With the result, Flamengo moves into second place in the standings, surpassing Minas Gerais and trailing only its next opponent, Brasília. The match, a repeat of the last two national finals, takes place on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the HSBC Arena.

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The match saw no quiet moments for either Flamengo or Minas Gerais. Both teams had to sweat it out for the entire 40 minutes. From the first quarter's kickoff until the final whistle, the game was thrilling. The teams alternated in front. Marcelinho on one side, Drudi on the other... And the duel was worthy of two of the favorites to win this competition.

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In the third quarter, the home team opened up a six-point lead, the largest by any team in the entire match. But, with determination, the Flamengos fought back in the final period and managed to turn the game around, seemingly securing victory. However, with 27 seconds remaining, Minas tied the game. On their next possession, Flamengo wasted their attack, and the game went into overtime.

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In overtime, there was no way out. Flamengo put on a performance worthy of the titles they've won in recent seasons and gave the Minas Gerais team no chance. Marcelinho, inspired, gave the team a lead in the opening minutes of extra time and held on to the lead. In the end, they won by seven points: 101 to 94.