Sesi Franca Basquete : Marcos Limonti/Sesi Franca Basquete
Sesi Franca Basquete achieved a convincing 91-61 victory against Botafogo, this Monday (10), at the Pedrocão gymnasium, in Franca (SP), in the eighth round of the NBB 2025/26. The match marked the return of winger David Jackson after a muscle injury, contributing to France’s sixth victory of the season. Center Cristiano Felício stood out with 16 points and 15 rebounds, guaranteeing the double-double that boosted the São Paulo team.
The home team controlled the game from the beginning, opening up a lead in the first quarter with 26 points compared to the opponent’s 14. This defensive and offensive superiority kept Franca in third place in the table, with a 75% success rate in eight games played. Botafogo, which was looking for its third victory, has now accumulated six defeats and remains in the middle of the table.
The confrontation highlighted Pedrocão’s strength as a decisive factor for Franca, which exploits the support of the local fans well. With this victory, the team is preparing to maintain the pace in the qualifying phase.
David Jackson’s return boosts Franco attack
David Jackson, 42, returned to the court after being absent since October 21 due to a thigh muscle injury. The shooting guard scored 18 points, including accurate three-point shots, and distributed assists that facilitated the team’s offensive flow.
His participation raised the group’s morale, allowing for more fluid rotations in the den and on the wings. Jackson, with 15 seasons’ experience in the NBB, was efficient in 28 minutes on the court, helping to contain Botafogo’s counterattacks.
The veteran commented after the game that the recovery time was essential to regain his rhythm, directly contributing to the 30-point difference in the final score.
Individual highlights define Franca’s superiority
Cristiano Felício dominated the paint with his double-double, collecting 15 rebounds amid a black and white defense that gave up 59 rebounds in total. His 16 points came from infiltrations and free throws converted with 80% accuracy.
Zú Júnior, Franca’s point guard, recorded 12 points and four assists, with a dunk in the second quarter that extended the lead to 25 points. His vision of the game accelerated the transitions, exploiting flaws in the visiting team’s marking.
By Botafogo, Matheusinho led with 18 points, but isolated, without enough support from his teammates, who converted only 32% of their shots from the field.
- Felício: 16 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists.
- Jackson: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Matheusinho: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist.
French defense neutralizes black and white attempts
Sesi Franca limited Botafogo to 61 points, forcing 18 turnovers throughout the match. This pressure on the perimeter resulted in just 25% success on opponent three-point shots.
In the third quarter, the defense intensified the steals, converting them into quick counterattacks that added 22 points to the scoreboard. Players like Lucas Dias and Didi Louzada contributed with timely blocks, keeping the difference above 20 points.
Botafogo tried tactical adjustments at halftime, but missed 12 consecutive shots on the return, allowing Franca to control the pace without additional effort.
The defensive strategy, practiced throughout the week, focused on folds in the box, neutralizing visiting pivots and forcing hasty passes.
Collective performance and match statistics
Franca distributed the scoring among seven players, with a collective efficiency of 52% on two-point shots. This balance avoided dependence on a single athlete, unlike Botafogo, which saw 60% of its points come from Matheusinho and Arthur Pecos.
In rebounds, the home team outscored the visitor 59 to 38, guaranteeing second chances that resulted in 14 extra points. Assists totaled 22 for Franca, against nine for Botafogo, highlighting the tactical cohesion under the command of coach Pastor.
Preparation for head-to-head matches in the table
Franca faces Flamengo next Wednesday (12), at 7:30 pm, again at Pedrocão, in a duel that could change the fight for the top of the table. A victory would keep the Francans close to the leader, who have an 80% success rate in eight games.
Botafogo travels to Bauru on Thursday (13), at 7pm, at the Panela de Pressão gym, seeking recovery away from home, where they have not yet won this season. The black and white team needs to improve its defense, which has given up an average of 82 points in the last five games.
These clashes test the consistency of the teams in the initial phase of the NBB, with Franca aiming to consolidate in the G4.
- Next Franca game: vs Flamengo, 12/11, 7:30 pm, Pedrocão.
- Next Botafogo game: @ Bauru, 11/13, 7pm, Pressure Cooker.
- Transmission: N Sports and official NBB YouTube.
Franca’s campaign reflects investments in experienced reinforcements, such as Jackson, who has accumulated 2,500 points in his league career. Felício, a former NBA player, adds strength to the paint, averaging 12 rebounds per game this season. These elements support thegoal of direct playoffs, accessible to the top four. Botafogo, in turn, adjusts the squad after recent signings, aiming to increase the current 25% advantage to avoid the classification zone via the tournament.
