Author: Monojit Mandal
Score: Franca 90 – 93 Minas
The Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) semifinal series between Franca and Minas reached its fifth and decisive game in a thrilling battle. The Minas players withstood Franca’s pressure at Pedroco, a gym located in the heart of São Paulo, and ended up winning the fourth game by a narrow 93-90 scoreline. That success leveled the series at 2-2, setting up an impressive finale.
Franca took the lead and won the first quarter 27-19. Minas, on the other hand, recovered quickly and managed to tie the game at 46-46 at halftime. The teams remained evenly matched, but Minas went into the last ten minutes of the game with a small lead, 72-69. With just 17 seconds remaining and the game tied, Minas’ point guard Alexey Borges hit a three-pointer. Minas won 93-90 thanks to this key play, after Franca failed to score in the remaining time.
Franca had won the first game of the semi-finals with a dominant 112-98 performance on May 13, when they had home-court advantage. However, Minas recovered quickly in the second game, which was played on Tuesday, May 16, at the UniBH Arena in Belo Horizonte, winning convincingly 103-89. Minas suffered a narrow setback at home just a few days before the fourth game, falling 95-91 to Franca in a highly entertaining clash on Thursday, May 18.
With the series now tied at 2-2, all eyes are on the fifth and final game, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m., in the interior of São Paulo. The winner of this fierce battle between Franca and Minas will face São Paulo in the NBB final. Basketball fans are anxiously awaiting the outcome of this fascinating series.
The NBB semi-final series between Franca and Minas has been exciting, with both teams showing their skills and determination on the court. As the fifth and decisive game approaches, the basketball community is full of excitement and anticipation, eagerly awaiting the announcement of a winner. The stage is set for a dramatic clash in the interior of São Paulo, where Franca and Minas will leave no stone unturned in their quest to face São Paulo in the NBB final.