Flamengo records fourth straight Brazilian league

Flamengo (Rio de Janeiro) has claimed its fourth consecutive Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) title with a massive 100-66 victory over Bauru (Sao Paulo) in Game 5 of the finals run. The victory marked another point in the ascension of Flamengo as the dominant force in Brazilian and South American Basketball.

This was the clubs fifth NBB title since the league was formed in 2009, with the other three titles heading to Brasilia between 2010 and 2012. A win over Bauru was the second time in as many years that Flamengo has downed the Sao Paulo giant in the finals series.

The game started close, with both teams troubling the bucket to trade early on. However, by the first split Flamengo had opened a 21-17 lead that was extended through the second frame as the hosts moved to 39-32 lead through halftime. After the midway rest Flamengo simply blew Bauru away, streaming 32 points in the third act and stopping the visitors at 17 for a 71-49 through thirty minutes on the floor. The onslaught continued in the fourth stanza as Flamengo won the closing act of the NBB season with a 29-17 streak.

Marcelo Machado led the victory with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds, while also offering 6 assists to the win. Olvinha Rodriguez followed with 22 points and 9 rebounds, and Joao Paulo Batista managed to drain 20 points.

Paulinho Boracini paced Bauru with 14 points, while Alex Garcia and Jefferson Andrade secured 11 points apiece.