BRA – Late free-throws by Guilherme put Universo/BRB on top in Brazil

BRASILIA (Brazilian National League) - Universo/BRB edged into a 2-1 lead in their Brazil play-off finals showdown with Flamengo after beating the Rio de Janeiro outfit, 85-84.

After falling in Game 1, 88-84, Universo have hit back to win two in a row by narrow score lines.

Alex Garcia and Co and won Game 2, 93-90.

Game 3 was played at a fever pitch with a large crowd of 14,500 looking on in Brasilia.

After trailing for most of the contest with their scoring machine Marcelinho on the bench in foul trouble, Flamengo awoke from their slumber in the fourth quarter.

Entering the frame behind at 65-58, Flamengo stormed into an 84-83 lead only for Universo's Guilherme Giovannoni to draw a foul and earn a trip to the free-throw line in the closing seconds.

Guilherme, one of the Brazil national team players who is back in the country after playing at Virtus Bologna in Italy, made both free-throws to put Universo back in front to stay.

He finished with 15 points.

Universo got a double-double in points and rebounds from Alex.

He finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and lightning-quick guard Nezinho had a team-high 19 points.

Duda Machado, the younger brother of Marcelinho, had 22 points while Guilherme Teichmann contributed 17 and Marcelinho had 13.

The series resumes on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro.

Alex, Guilherme and Marcelinho should are near certainties to represent Brazil this summer at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

Duda is also competing for a spot in that team.

FIBA