CHOCÓ (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2017) - Flamengo adjusted and dominated their second game at the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2017 with an overwhelming victory against Uruguayan champions Hebraica y Macabi, 91-57.

It was a match whose definition arrived at the 31-11 quarter, and that counted on Marquinhos’ great participation. The veteran Small Forward made 18 points in Flamengo’s victory, that qualified them - along hosts Cimarrones del Chocó - to the competition's Semi-Finals phase.

Marquinhos spoke to FIBA.basketball after Flamengo's victory over Hebraica y Macabi.

We saw a different, dominant Flamengo. How did you feel when facing Hebraica?
We felt better than yesterday. The debut was complicated for all of us. We arrived with no rhythm and we were able to put our hearts in at the end to win. But in this game against Hebraica and Macabi we played stress-free. We were relaxed, more comfortable, and that was demonstrated in our effectiveness during the game.

You had to fight hard during the first match against San Martín, and achieved the win coming from behind. What was the difference against Hebraica?
Against San Martín one might think that we were only ineffective in the offensive, but the truth is that we made many mistakes even in the defense. What we had to adjust was our patience. We were patient in the offense, we made the extra pass and we found better opportunities. The shots began to made and our communication was good. That allowed us to get an important advantage.

You've now ensured your qualification for the Semi-Final phase of this DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2017, but you still must ensure the first place against hosts Cimarrones del Chocó, who have built a great story in this Group A. What do you see of this game against the locals?
Cimarrones will be an interesting test. They’re an athletic, super aggressive and physical team, that go for the rebound as a pack. We have to be ready. It’ll be a change of rhythm of what we've faced during the first two games and now we must adjust, we must prepare correctly.”

What does continuing to wear the Flamengo colors in international competitions mean to you? How important is it?
Playing for Flamengo, for those who don't understand it, is different than being a part of any other franchise or normal team. The red and black uniform is a religion in Brazil. Defending this jersey, that we call “the sacred mantle” because of the history it entails, has no comparison. Our country’s most important players of all time played for Flamengo, including Oscar Schmidt and Marcelinho Machado. This is my sixth year in this team and little by little I've been building my own story with these colors; always trying to give it my all because of what it means to have the opportunity of playing for Flamengo.

For the most complete coverage of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana, visit its official website, and @ligamericas in social media.

FIBA