Flamengo stuns Instituto in Cordoba

CORDOBA (Argentina) - Experience is the teacher of all things.

Julius Caesar’s maxim applies perfectly to Flamengo’s victory in Argentina on Monday, as the Brazilians leaned on sturdy veterans Marquinhos and Olivinha to beat Instituto in Game 1 of the Basketball Champions League Americas.

The red and black took a seven-point lead into halftime and expanded it into double digits in the third quarter before hanging on for the win.

And they did it with a trusted formula: Marquinho’s outside shooting.

The 35-year old, a legend of South American hoops and a long-time fixture of his National Team, shot 4-for-9 from beyond the arc for 15 points.

He was only outdone by 36-year old Carlos Rodríguez, better known as Olivinha.

The Carioca power forward notched a 20-and-10 double-double in 31 minutes.

It was a low-scoring affair in which both teams failed the crack the 35% from the field, with Instituto finally making some defensive adjustments in the fourth quarter – holding Flamengo to just 10 points in the final period.

They eventually got within single digits in the final minute, but the comeback attempt proved to be too little too late.

Gastón Whelan led the way for Sebastián Ginóbili’s squad with 18 points but was only one of two players in double digits for the cordobeses. Nicolás Romano also chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.

Flamengo will now try to book their ticket to the final on Thursday when they host the Argentineans in Rio de Janeiro. The game is scheduled for 7:30pm local time.

FIBA