Corinthians basketball duo upbeat on season, hail the Fiel | OneFootball

On the night of last Tuesday (26), Corinthians went to the Henrique Villaboim Sports Complex to face Pinheiros in the fourth game of the semifinal series of the 2025/2026 Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) season, and was beaten 88-76. The result saw Timão bow out of the national tournament after losing the series 3-1, in the year it recorded its best campaign in the competition since the sport was reactivated in 2018.

Shortly after the final buzzer, Corinthians Basquete forward Rafael Munford gave an interview to Rádio Coringão, and gave a positive assessment of the season for the team coached by Jece Leite. He also highlighted the importance of the Fiel Torcida for the team’s long run in the NBB, especially from the playoffs onward.

Photos: Beto Miller/Agência Corinthians

“I think the season was very rewarding for us. Despite the loss, we managed to compete in every game, we had good moments and bad moments, but there was no lack of commitment, and the results came. We reached the semifinals, which we had never done before, and I think that’s it. Year by year, we keep improving — we reached the quarterfinals last year, this year we made the semis, and I think each year is about getting better.”

He continued: “I think it was really great (the fans’ support), it gave us a huge boost. The two home games were a beautiful celebration, and that helped us perform in the games. It’s an energy that spreads to us. I think this support we have is very important, and as it keeps growing, I think that’s important for us,” he said.

Kauan Raymundo

The young forward/center, in turn, lamented the elimination, especially because of the team’s performance in the fourth game. However, he stressed the need to keep their heads up and fight for the Novo Basquete Brasil title again next season.

“We’re very frustrated with today’s game. Obviously, we wanted to be in the final. We’re not satisfied with this performance, even though it was the best in our history, but damn it, we want to be champions when you play here at Corinthians. Next season, it’s about keeping our heads up — bowing our heads right now in this difficult moment, but arriving at the next competition with our heads held high, strong, training hard, preparing well for next year, so we can have a great year and definitely do even better than this one. Our goal is to win the first title here for Corinthians.”

Later, like Munford, he praised the Corinthians fans, who packed Wlamir Marques, especially during the playoff games. He also answered whether the possibility of the sport being discontinued at the end of last year, due to Alvinegro’s serious financial crisis, affected the group in any way.

“It’s fundamental, especially because of the energy they bring to the game — it’s definitely a different kind of energy. When they start supporting us, they get fired up, and as things start going well, they keep cheering louder. It definitely raises the team’s level a lot, and we’re very grateful for the fans today.”

“Look, it definitely has an impact on the season (the possibility of the sport being discontinued). We were all caught by surprise, but we kept working as if every game were a final. We want to put in a great performance and stay strong,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.