RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) – Flamengo gave their home fans at Estadio Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro a big reason to celebrate after dominating Boca Juniors, 83-57, in the 2024-25 Basketball Champions League Americas Final on Saturday. This is the second title in the competition for the Brazilian club, who tied Quimsa (Argentina) as the only club with multiple championships in the history of BCL Americas.
The team helmed by Argentinian head coach Sergio Hernández will also compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, taking place this September in Singapore.
Turning point
Flamengo showed great intensity on defense and took control of the game in the first quarter, forcing their opponent into taking tough shots. At the same time, they were unstoppable on offense, hitting 61 percent of their shots (including 6 of 11 on three-pointers) to go up 30-13 at the end of the period. Boca played from behind the whole night and could never get back within striking distance. They made a run in the third quarter and got within 11 points (55-44), but Flamengo quickly got back up by 15 (60-45) on a Gui Deodato basket and a pair of free throws from Franco Balbi to head into the final 10 minutes in control of the action.
In the fourth quarter, the home team quickly snuffed any hopes of a comeback when Deodato hit 3 three-pointers in quick succession to put Flamengo up by 74-49 with 4:46 until the final buzzer.
Player of the game
Alexey Borges completed a fantastic individual performance throughout the whole campaign, leading Flamengo in the final with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. The point guard was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Deodato also shined with 16 points. Shaquille Johnson added 15, while Ruan Miranda chipped in 11 and 9 rebounds. For Boca, Martín Cuello was the only player in double digits with 16.
Stats don’t lie
Flamengo’s defense held their opponent to 37.9 percent from the field, while their offense shot 47.7. Outside shooting was also crucial, with the winners hitting 14 of 33 attempts (42.4 percent) while Boca only made 6 of 28 (21.4).
Bottom line
Flamengo snapped a streak of 2 consecutive lost BCL Americas finals and won their coveted second title after appearing in 5 Finals in 6 editions. Their pair of Final 4 victories (after beating SESI Franca in the Semi-Finals) came by a margin of 25 points, showing their clear superiority.
Ellos dijeron
“It was a great performance in the Final 4, very complete. It’s been a long time since I felt represented by a team, and this squad is playing a vertical style like I want. I’m enjoying it,” said Flamengo head coach Sergio Hernández.
"We had 2 incredible games, and we were focused from the beginning, which was something that we had been struggling with. Without a doubt we played at a had level and had each other’s backs. Offensively we knew our potential, so we had to be better on defense and we were very aggressive,” said Flamengo center Tayavek Gallizzi. “We knew we had the potential to play defense. I think we planned both games well and were able to execute. The way we approached the tournament allowed us to get big leads in both games,” said Flamengo point guard Franco Balbi.
FIBA