
Flabout
26 Jun 2025 | 11:39 |
Even after lifting yet another continental trophy, Flamengo is starting to move to renew its basketball team . The elimination in the NBB semifinals against Franca, who ended up as champions, raised alarm bells and prompted internal changes. With the continuity of names like Alexey Borges, Gui Deodato and Ruan Miranda already assured, the board chose not to renew the contracts of other important athletes in the team, among them Franco Balbi and Tayavek Gallizzi.
Balbi's departure did not go unnoticed. The Argentine point guard played a leadership role on and off the court. He was an essential part of the red-black team's key moments in recent seasons , especially in winning the Champions League of the Americas in 2020/21 and 2024/25. In his second stint at the club, Balbi accumulated achievements: two NBB titles (2018/19 and 2020/21), two Super 8 Cups (2018 and 2021) and three State Cups (2018, 2019 and 2020).
With less time at home , Tayavek Gallizzi also leaves Flamengo. The Argentine pivot participated in the 2024/25 Champions League of the Americas championship campaign and in the Super 8 Cup . Even though he was not an absolute starter, Gallizzi added physical strength in the paint and defensive solidity.
The duo's departure was anticipated by journalist Enéas Lima, from the Garrafão Rubro-Negro channel , which specializes in covering FlaBasquete. According to him, the decision was already behind the scenes at the club since the end of the Champions League. So far, the destinations of Balbi and Gallizzi have not been confirmed. There is speculation about the return of both to the Argentine market, but no negotiations have been made official.
The restructuring of FlaBasquete is already well underway. According to the Argentine press, Rubro-Negro has reached an agreement with Argentine point guard Juan Ignacio Baralle, who played for Minas in the last season of the NBB. Baralle would join the rotation with Alexey Borges, currently the starting point guard for Flamengo, maintaining the standard of foreign coaches that have been the basketball department's preference.
The tournament held by CAIXA defined its finalists in a semifinal phase marked by balance, comebacks and great individual performances
03 Out 2025 | 12:49 |
Flabasquete is in the final of the NBB Opening Tournament. On the night of last Thursday (2), Rubro-Negro beat Unión Santa Fé, from Argentina, by 80 to 73, at Arena BRB Nilson Nelson, in Brasília , and guaranteed its place in the competition's decision. The final will be tomorrow, Saturday (4), at 8 pm, against Minas.
After the match against Unión, Alexey analyzed the team's performance and projected the rest of the season. " We're still finding our feet; it's normal to have these kinds of (tough) games at this point in the season . We haven't had much time to train together yet, due to the national team tournaments and the Intercontinental Championship," he said before concluding.
Alexey celebrates Flamengo's good moment: "We will continue working"
"We're getting better , that's what the Opening Tournament is for, to improve as a team so we can be in good shape when it's time to decide the championships. We'll keep working to achieve our best," concluded the Flamengo player.
On the other side of the bracket, Minas (KTO Minas) defeated Brasília Basquete in an intense duel filled with back-and-forth matches. The semifinals were balanced between defense and offense, but the Minas Gerais team prevailed in the decisive moments and secured a spot in the final. The victory reinforces the team's strong form and puts its strength to the test against Flamengo .
With solid campaigns, Flamengo and Minas Gerais arrive in high spirits for the final. Flamengo is banking on Alexey Borges' talent and perfect form so far , while Minas Gerais relies on collective strength and momentum to try to surprise.
With a 95-64 victory, Rubro-Negro confirms its place in the semifinals against Unión Santa Fé and will meet idol Franco Balbi again in Brasília.
01 Out 2025 | 10:36 |
Flabasquete showed strength again this Tuesday (30) by beating Pato Basquete 95 to 64, at Arena BRB Nilson Nelson, in Brasília, in the second round of the NBB Opening Tournament. The result guaranteed Rubro-Negro the leadership of Group B and classification for the semifinal of the competition.
With the victory, the Rio de Janeiro team will face Unión Santa Fé, from Argentina, this Thursday (2), at 5:30 pm. The match will have a special ingredient: the reunion of the red-black fans with the Argentine point guard Franco Balbi , ex-Flamengo and idol of the club.
The star of the night was shooting guard Alex Negrete, who led the team with 25 points and 7 rebounds, leading the game. After the game, he emphasized the importance of collective performance and the work done alongside his teammates.
"I'm very happy with the result, with the performance we played. We're working hard together as a team. I believe we're doing things well , but we'll continue to focus on improving to reach the level we aspire to," said the Argentine.
Negrete also commented on adapting to the playing style of coach Sergio Hernandez , with whom he shares a nationality. According to him, the coach has prioritized a fast, vertical pace, which favors his characteristics on the court.
With two wins in two games, Flamengo ends the group stage as undefeated leader and is already planning its next challenges. The semifinal against Unión Santa Fé takes place on Thursday (2), at 5:30 pm. If they advance, the team will return to the court on Saturday (4) for the final. If they lose, they will play for third place.
Rubro-Negro beats Fortaleza 87-71 in Brasília and secures first victory in the preseason tournament, showing good team harmony
30 Set 2025 | 20:00 |
Flabasquete began its participation in the NBB Opening Tournament with a victory over Fortaleza by 87 to 71, on Monday night (29), at Arena BRB Nilson Nelson, in Brasília. The victory marks a good start in the pre-season competition and highlights the team's initial rapport.
Point guard Alex Negrete led the team with 18 points . Alexey Borges also stood out with 16 points and 7 assists, while power forward Kayo Gonçalves contributed 12 points and 4 rebounds.
After the match, Kayo Gonçalves emphasized the importance of the tournament for the squad's chemistry and cohesion. " This tournament will be very important for us to get some experience, to have more contact with the game. It's extremely important for us coming off the World Cup, which was a different kind of preparation ," he said before concluding.
" We're going to use these games to get to know each other better on the court and build the chemistry that will lead us to better results when the season starts ," said the Flamengo power forward.
Flamengo returns to the court this Tuesday (30), at 5:30 pm, to face Pato Basquete, again at Arena BRB Nilson Nelson. Just like the debut, entry will be free and the broadcast will be provided by Metrópoles, on YouTube.