Rubro-Negro winger Marcelinho is the top scorer in the Rio basketball classic

GLOBOESPORTE.COM

Marcelinho shoots in the match against Fluminense, a Rio de Janeiro derby. Flamengo remains the leader in the Rio de Janeiro State Basketball Championship. And the top spot in the standings was secured with a victory in the city's most traditional derby, against Fluminense. The Red-Blacks won this Saturday, 91-75, at the Tijuca gymnasium. It was the team's 11th victory in 12 games. Fluminense is fourth, with nine wins in 14 matches.

The top scorer was Flamengo's Marcelinho Machado. The Brazilian national team's winger scored 31 points. For Fluminense, Wanderson's top scorer was 15.

"Chupeta (Paulo, Flamengo's coach) was very much to blame for our victory. At halftime, he reminded us that we can't relax against a strong team like theirs, because even with a 12-13 point lead, they could make a game that was in our hands difficult," says Marcelinho.

Regarding the real possibility of facing Fluminense in the playoffs, Marcelinho was emphatic:

"We still have two matches left, against Municipal and Liga Macaense, which is the big surprise of this championship. We'll have to think about the playoffs only when the time comes."

For the player, the high performance in attack is a reflection of the collective game played by Flamengo.

"The team understands my aggressive attacking rhythm and is looking for me. This understanding has been very important for me and the group," concluded the Fla-Flu star.