ARG/BRA/URU/CHI – Quimsa, Flamengo advance to Final Round

SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO (Liga Sudamericana) - Quimsa Santiago del Estero have endured a poor start in Argentina's Liga Nacional, but the Liga Sudamericana is another story.

Carlos Romano, who took the reins of the outfit following the removal of Marcelo Richotti as coach, brought smiles to the faces of everyone at the club over the weekend by guiding the team to first place in Group B of the continental competition.

Quimsa thrashed Inacap of Chile and then defeated Uruguayans Malvin to assure themselves of a spot in the Final Round.

The Argentinians, who were hosting the group games, then edged Brazilians Flamengo 82-77 to clinch first place.

Flamengo had also sealed their progression to the next phase with a 94-92 triumph over Malvin and a 111-73 demolition of Inacap.

In the vital win over Malvin, Flamengo’s Brazil international Marcelo Machado drilled six three-balls from 15 attempts and finished with 22 points.

Trailing by two at the end of the contest, Malvin put Flamengo's Atila Sacramento on the free-throw line and he missed both attempts.

But Marcelinho, who shone for Brazil at the FIBA World Championship this summer in Turkey, grabbed the offensive rebound as Flamengo held on.

Fernando Martinez had a game-high 23 in defeat for Malvin.

FIBA