Flamengo returns to the court this Sunday (14) in the Champions League of the Americas, the “Libertadores” of men’s basketball, in search of rehabilitation. Rubro-Negro will face Obras Sanitarias, from Argentina, from 9:10 pm (Brasília time), at Ginásio 8 de Junio, in the Uruguayan city of Paysandú, host of the first round of Group B games.
In an uninspired performance, the Brazilians debuted with a defeat to Nacional, from Uruguay, on Saturday (13), by 75 to 63. The third quarter was decisive, with the hosts scoring 23 points against just 11 from the locals. In the last period, the difference in favor of the Uruguayans dropped to four points, with around a minute and a half remaining, but the reaction stopped there and the home team controlled the final stretch of the game.
Winger Connor Zinaich, with 21 points and ten rebounds, led Nacional’s triumph. Also North American Shaquille Johnson, Flamengo’s shooting guard, was the highlight of the red and black side.
The Uruguayans lead Group B with the two points from Saturday’s victory. The Brazilians added one point due to the defeat. If they beat Obras this Sunday, they will go to three points and take the lead provisionally, as the Argentines will face Nacional on Monday (15), completing the first round.
The second window of the bracket will have games in Rio de Janeiro, led by Flamengo. Rubro-Negro takes on Obras on January 17th and Nacional two days later. The third and final round will be in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, between February 7th and 9th. The top two in the group advance to the quarterfinals.
