While Franca took the lead in the Novo Basquete Brasil semifinals playing at home, Flamengo isn't going to settle for less and will be looking for their second win on home soil this Saturday. The red-and-blacks defeated their São Paulo rivals 101-73 on Friday night and will host coach Helio Rubens' team again this Saturday at 20:30 pm at HSBC Arena. A win gives the team a 2-1 lead in the series, which returns to Franca this week.

Flamengo's captain and top scorer, Marcelinho Machado, praised the team's performance in Friday's match and praised the good collective play shown by his teammates.

"This is how the playoffs have to be. We're facing a great team, accustomed to playing decisive matches, but at home we have to come out on top. We marked Helinho well, who controls the pace of the game, and we deserved that yesterday. The important thing is that the team always stayed ahead and knew how to control the match," said the number 4.

Center Coloneze, who broke his hand and is out of the NBB, also praised the team's performance and only regretted not being on the court to help his teammates.

"Unfortunately, this ended up happening. During a light training session, before the game, I ended up getting injured in a collision. But it happens. Now is the time to support our teammates and hope we qualify," he said.

To achieve the goal of returning to São Paulo needing only a victory to reach the final, the team relies on the support of the fans at the Arena.

"The fans are essential for us. They push the team forward, and a game of this intensity is difficult, but with them pushing it makes it easier. We draw energy from where we don't have it," he added.

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Entertainment - In addition to the on-court spectacle, there are several attractions for the public at the entrance to HSBC Arena: video games, trampolines, face painting, computers displaying official Uruba & Urubinha games, and a memory game with photos of the players and coaching staff. These activities are supported by the Entreter group.