Flamengo overcame a tough start against Botafogo, winning 97-77 to clinch their spot in the grand final of the State Basketball Championship.
FlaBasquete secured their presence in the state championship final after a decisive victory over Botafogo in General Severiano. The 97-77 triumph, achieved this Wednesday (23rd), confirmed the Rubro-Negro’s dominance in the qualifying phase and consolidated the team’s restructuring project for the season.
The qualification didn’t come without challenges. After a first quarter below expectations, where they trailed by as much as 31-13, the squad led by Demétrius Ferracciú demonstrated resilience and tactical intelligence. The comeback was built upon a more aggressive defensive system and improved shooting efficiency from mid and long range.
Overcoming Adversity and Dominating the Court
The rally began in the second quarter, when the team reduced the deficit before halftime. In the third quarter, the team truly hit its stride, with Yago taking the lead. The point guard, who finished the game as the top scorer with 20 points, orchestrated the turnaround that gave Flamengo a comfortable lead.
Players like Ruan, with 19 points, and Didi, with 16, were also instrumental in the Rubro-Negro completely controlling the game’s tempo in the final period.
The Equipe M360 highlighted the team’s attitude:
The team showed resilience by not getting discouraged by the poor start. We adjusted our defense at halftime and from then on, we imposed our collective intensity.
Schedule and Preparation
With their spot secured, Flamengo now awaits the outcome of the match between Botafogo and Fluminense to learn their opponent in the final. The state tournament serves as an important testing ground for the revamped squad, which features new additions like Yan Djalo, Montero, and Douglas Santos.
Before the final, scheduled for October 14th, the team is focusing on a preparatory tour in Uruguay. On September 28th and 29th, FlaBasquete will face Peñarol and Biguá in Montevideo.
Following that, the team will compete in the NBB Opening Tournament in Minas Gerais, seeking optimal rhythm for their debut in the main national competition, set for October 18th. The full focus remains on winning the state title.
Equipe M360
