Corinthians maintains momentum with the Under-22s and reaches the decisive stretch of the Copa São Paulo strong after a perfect campaign in the LDB
- By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial
Corinthians Under-22 basketball is experiencing one of the best moments of the 2026 season. While it led undefeatedly in the first stage of the Basketball Development League (LDB), the category's main national competition, the team led by Wesley Aguiar is also very close to the title of the Copa São Paulo de Basquete, an adult tournament organized by the São Paulo Basketball Federation (FPB).
The combination of results reinforces the good moment of the black and white team, which uses the Copa São Paulo as preparation for the LDB and has been showing competitiveness in both competitions.
Photo: Reproduction / Corinthians
Timão fights for the Copa São Paulo title
In parallel with the campaign in the LDB, Corinthians also remains firm in the decision of the São Paulo Basketball Cup, an adult competition played with the Under-22 squad.
The team reached the final after eliminating Diadema and Liga Sorocabana, winning both series 2 x 1.
Quarter-finals
Against Diadema, Corinthians opened the series with a dominant 102 x 59 victory, with Lucas Cardoso (18 points and 13 rebounds), Patrick (14 points) and Luiggi (11 points) among the highlights.
In the second match, Diadema won 89 x 88, taking the decision to the third game.
In the decisive match, Timão responded with an 83 x 69 victory, driven by Kaique, who scored 25 points, as well as Lucas Cardoso (11 points and 15 rebounds) and Luiggi (10 points and eight rebounds).
Semifinal
In the semi-final, the opponent was Liga Sorocabana.
Corinthians won the first game 86 x 85, suffered defeat 89 x 87 in the second duel and confirmed their classification by winning the decisive match 75 x 59, guaranteeing a place in the state decision.
Turnaround in the final against Tatuí
The Copa São Paulo decision is played in a best-of-five series against Tatuí.
The start was not positive for Corinthians, who were defeated 98 x 61, at Ginásio Manoel Soares.
Playing at the Parque São Jorge Mini Gymnasium, however, the team reacted immediately and tied the series by winning 81 x 69. The main names in the match were Matheus Jamelão, with 18 points and nine assists, Luiggi, who scored 18 points and 12 rebounds, in addition to Lucas Cardoso, responsible for 16 points and nine rebounds.
In the third match, again at home, Corinthians confirmed the turnaround in the series by winning 75 x 73. Luiggi was once again highlighted with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Kaique contributed with 15 points and two assists. Matheus Jamelão also had an important performance, recording 13 points and six assists.
With that, Timão opened 2 x 1 in the decisive series and was just one victory away from winning the title.
Perfect campaign puts Corinthians at the top of the LDB
Timão ended the first stage of the LDB with 100% success and finished in the isolated leadership of Group A. Playing their games at the Ginásio Felipe Karam, in Rio Claro, Corinthians won all six matches played and were the only member of the group to achieve a perfect campaign.
The journey began with an 84 x 69 victory over Cruzeiro. Subsequently, Corinthians beat Instituto Viva Vida 83 x 82, in a reaction after falling behind on the scoreboard.
The third compromise was one of the most balanced of the campaign. After a 57 x 57 draw in regular time against Minas, the black and white team got the better of extra time and won 67 x 66, highlighted by Matheus Jamelão.
After the break in the table, Corinthians returned to the court and dominated Basquete Cearense, winning 83 x 55. In the fifth match, they confirmed their good moment by beating Brasília 92 x 58.
The last challenge was precisely the most difficult of the first phase. Against Caxias do Sul, Timão had to look for a reaction after going into the break at a disadvantage, turning the match around in the second half and securing their sixth consecutive victory by scoring 82 x 78.
In the 2026 edition, LDB brings together 24 teams, divided into two groups with 12 participants. Each group was separated into two subgroups of six teams.
In the first stage, clashes took place only between teams from opposing subgroups. In the second phase, scheduled for July and August, the teams will face clubs from their own subgroup. Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Paulistano and Flamengo will host this stage.
At the end of the two qualifying phases, the four best placed in each group advance to the Gold Series, which will define the national champion between the 14th and 19th of September. The teams that finish between fifth and eighth place will compete in the Silver Series.
Corinthians results in the first stage of LDB 2026
- Corinthians 84 x 69 Cruzeiro
- Corinthians 83 x 82 Instituto Viva Vida
- Corinthians 67 x 66 Minas (after extension) South
Next appointment
The fourth game of the final takes place next Friday (10), at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), in Tatuí. If they win again, Corinthians will win the São Paulo Basketball Cup title with their U22 team.
The post Corinthians maintains momentum with the U22 and reaches the decisive stretch of the Copa São Paulo strong after a perfect campaign in the LDB first appeared on Central do Timão.
The content Corinthians maintains its momentum with the U22 and reaches the decisive stretch of the Copa São Paulo strongly after a perfect campaign in the LDB appears first in Central do Timão.
Source: Timao Central