The current champion of the New Basketball Brazil, Flamengo, is planning to win more titles next season. Alexandre Póvoa, vice president of Olympic Sports, has already participated in titles such as the League of the Americas and the Basketball World Cup and sees Flamengo growing stronger in 2015/2016. "Flamengo's obligation is to perpetuate its commitment to victory," he reveals.

In an exclusive interview with the club's official website, he commented on the future of FlaBasquete:

Alexandre Póvoa: Since that historic day on May 30.05th, when we won our third consecutive NBB championship in Marília (our fourth in history), we've been working hard to build the best possible team, within our budget, for the upcoming season. It's a rule at Flamengo basketball that negotiations with any player—whether already on the roster or not—only begin after the season ends, out of respect for our group. We're 100% focused on winning championships, and I think the formula has worked in recent years.

As we've consistently reached the finals, some players "sign" with other clubs that were eliminated earlier. The work over the last 45 days has been intense, with Marcelo Vido leading the negotiations, and maintaining an open channel with me. First, we spoke individually, face-to-face, with each player to understand their plans and motivations, regardless of financial considerations. Since taking over, between seasons, we've adopted the philosophy that "a team, as long as it's for improvement, can always be changed, even if it's winning practically everything." Flamengo's obligation is to perpetuate its commitment to victory.

We're pleased with the results we've achieved so far in building the team. We already had Olivinha and Meyinsse under contract, and we've renewed contracts with Gegê, Benite, and Marquinhos, in addition to extending Marcelinho's contract for six months (January to June). Yesterday, we announced JP Batista, a very experienced player (14 years abroad, between the US and Europe), and I think his quality will help us a lot at center. We currently have seven senior players.

Alexandre Póvoa:  Unfortunately, at this point, yes. We take great care before announcing any player. We only do so when we receive the "commitment agreement" signed by the player, which is valid as a pre-contract, since the final contract takes time to be drafted. The only restriction we place is that the commitment agreement only becomes a contract if "the player is in full playing condition—physically (after medical examination) and legally."

Young Humberto, whom we've admired greatly since that Liga das Américas final against us at Maracanãzinho in 2014, was offered to us by his agent at the end of June of this year. The agent told us that, despite the boy being only 20 years old, Pinheiros, as the training club, had not submitted the priority proposal for the first contract (a right granted by the Pelé Law) within the legally established deadline. Therefore, he would automatically be free to play wherever he wanted. With the approval of our coaching staff, we negotiated, reached an agreement, he signed the commitment form, and we announced the athlete.

To our surprise, Pinheiros then responded to Flamengo this week in a letter stating that, contrary to what its representative had stated, it had submitted the so-called priority offer on time and would not release the player without payment of training costs. Given this information, this morning, Flamengo informed the player's agent and Pinheiros that the commitment agreement would no longer become a contract, as Humberto would not be able to play without the free release. Therefore, the player must first reach an agreement with Pinheiros before any further contact can be resumed.

Flamengo will always adopt an ethical stance and respect its fellow members before seeking any sporting advantage (which could be pursued through the Labor Court). Ultimately, Humberto will only come to Flamengo if he previously defines his situation with Pinheiros. Flamengo will not interfere in this relationship.

While we hope for a turnaround in the current situation, we won't dwell on this Humberto issue any further if Pinheiros doesn't release him. A final decision will be made within 10 days at most. It's a shame for an athlete with great potential, who could have grown enormously playing for Flamengo. We'll seek a replacement if necessary. The Pelé Law, despite advances in several areas, creates enormous distortions and needs to be urgently reconsidered on some points, but that's another matter.

Alexandre Póvoa:  Of course, the time has come for the Red-Black Nation to be informed. Let's go. 

Alexandre Póvoa: Cristiano is an excellent kid, hard-working, from humble origins, extremely strong, and with enormous potential to be developed. We are very happy with his development, especially due to some decisions we made in the past that ensured he could thrive at Flamengo. I personally hope that basketball changes his life and that of his family. Regarding recent events, I can only say one thing: Good luck to him during his time in Chicago. Flamengo will only comment more fully on this matter in October. Period.

Alexandre Póvoa:  It's worth noting that two years ago, when Nico arrived in Brazil, few knew him. But at that time, even as NBB champions, we had a clear diagnosis that our team lacked a classic point guard. His signing was the result of extensive research, and I confess that I was much more surprised by the Brazilian analysts' surprise at his game than by the prominence he ended up acquiring at Flamengo. I personally find it unbelievable that he's always left out of the NBB's year-end elections for "best point guard," "best foreign player," or the team of the tournament. A star on the court and a great person off it, one of the key figures behind Flamengo's "Champion of Everything."

It's no secret that Nicolas wants to play in Europe. When we spoke before the holidays, he reaffirmed this desire. He's been declaring this in the press, too. He said he would only play in Brazil if it were for Flamengo, which we believe in and are trying to make possible within our financial limits. We exchanged offers (with an option to leave for Europe by a certain date, as we did with Marquinhos and Benite), and the deadline for a response was yesterday (July 16th).

We spoke at length with him on the phone for the last time the day before yesterday, and he reiterated that he is unable to respond at this time (even with the European exit window established in his contract). We deeply respect the athlete, but Flamengo is paramount, and as of yesterday, the offer for him no longer exists. This doesn't mean Nico won't play the 2015/16 season for Flamengo. We made it clear that the door is open whenever he wants to talk again, which doesn't mean Flamengo will have an offer to offer him. Obviously, from now on, we will be more actively pursuing alternatives.

Alexandre Póvoa: Before I answer, one more introduction. I played basketball for 13 years of my life, was a director for a year and a half right after I stopped, and now I've been "VP of Olympic Sports" for two and a half years. I can say, without fear of being wrong, that I've never worked with a player as professional as him. A simply spectacular guy, both on and off the court. Whether playing 5 minutes or 40 in a match, he always has the same constructive team approach. An Olympic champion who vibrates like a kid and has zero arrogance. An example for younger people to follow. It's no wonder he won everything in his life as a player. Last year's Flamengo team owes a lot to him.

Walter's situation is different. At our meeting in June, before traveling to Argentina, he categorically stated that he was going on a long vacation with his family (he should be returning by now) and wouldn't talk to anyone until then because he was thinking about continuing his career. At that moment, he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life (quit playing? Play in Argentina, close to home? Return to Flamengo?).

Anyway, he's a accomplished guy, he's in his own time. Therefore, there haven't been any discussions since the end of the NBB, and we're waiting for his return. However, we obviously can't stop the team's development because of this.

Alexandre Póvoa: The most important moment of the year for a successful season is squad formation. Everything must be taken into account—physical, technical, and tactical skills, posture, and motivation to play for Flamengo. Unlike in 2014/2015, we're not under pressure from the World Cup final, which gives us more flexibility to wait. We only have the Campeonato Carioca in October and the match against Orlando (October 17), which is where we want to be and will do well.

The end of July is also an important date, given that both Benite and Marquinhos, upon payment of their contractual termination fees, can still transfer to Europe or the NBA. Building a team is like a game of chess. We have up to three foreign players to sign and have only filled one spot so far (with Jerome remaining).

Remembering that we need to maintain the base, but we also need to surprise our opponents, who have been behind Flamengo for three years (and will come, more than ever, with everything against us again).

On the one hand, we're paying the price for our own success, with players being approached by European and NBA teams. When Maccabi won the European League, they lost half their squad the following season due to interest from their rivals. We, as directors, while understanding the players' interests, have an obligation to set the club's limits, both in terms of budget and the timeframe for responses and decisions.

Every day, we have to look in the mirror and remember that Flamengo is the basketball world champion and that there are many players who dream of wearing the Sacred Mantle at this time. A great champion begins on the court with a good team and coaching staff, but is completed with structure, attitude, and organization off it. As a Flamengo fan, I've learned that since Zico stopped playing soccer—and Flamengo is still alive today—no director, coach, or player is irreplaceable at Flamengo.

We don't expect to announce any new developments in the coming days. The first phase of negotiations ended yesterday, and we're now calmly considering the rest of the squad. We're going to build a great team that will continue to be the Pride of the Nation and be ready to compete for every title.