Corinthians basketball player reflects on Paulista Championship defeat

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Central do Timão

·17 September 2025

Corinthians basketball player reflects on Paulista Championship defeat

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of last Monday, September 15, Corinthians hosted Franca at the Wlamir Marques Gymnasium, Parque São Jorge, in a match for the third round of the realignment phase of the Paulista Basketball Championship and lost 80 to 73. In an interview with Meu Timão after the match, forward Rafael Munford analyzed the negative result and praised the team's performance.

“I think it was a game. We lost on some details, we even went into halftime winning. It was a high-level game and the small mistakes we made ended up giving them this advantage. But I think it was a good match and, looking ahead, it showed that we can compete with the best. And now, in the Paulista, the goal is to fight for the title. That’s our new objective.” he began.

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Beto Miller/Agência Corinthians

Next, he looked ahead to the 2025/2026 season of Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) and the South American Basketball League. In 2024, Corinthians was eliminated by Flamengo in the quarterfinals of the national competition, and the new edition will begin in the coming weeks.

In the international tournament, the Alvinegro is in the same group as Quimsa (Argentina), Defensor Sporting (Uruguay), and ABC Camp Importadora Alvarado (Ecuador). Munford was also asked about the importance of the Corinthians fans.

“I think that, for the NBB, the goal is to improve on how we reached the quarterfinals; this year, the idea is to get past the quarters. To be in the top 6 of the standings. That’s our goal. And in the South American League, the games are quick, so anything can happen and the goal is definitely to be champion.”

“The fans are extremely important for us, as you mentioned, in the last championship against Flamengo. We had really good energy here and it helped us play better. And with the support of the fans, we’ll be able to go far in the South American League and the NBB.” he concluded.

The team led by Jece Leite will return to the court next Thursday, September 18, at 7:30 PM (Brasília time), at the Panela de Pressão Gymnasium, to face Bauru Basquete in the fourth round of the realignment phase of the Paulista Championship in the sport.

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