Three-time Super 8 Cup champion, FlaBasquete returned to the court this Tuesday (6) for the NBB and beat Botafogo 102 to 78, at the Oscar Zelaya gym, with a great collective performance in the last quarter. Didi, on an inspired night, was the highlight of the classic with 24 points scored.

Now, the Pride of the Nation turns the key to Argentina's window of the Basketball Champions League Americas, when they face Boca Juniors and Hebraica Macabi, on February 10th and 11th, respectively.

Highlights
Didi – 24 points;
Devon Scott – 18 points;
Gabriel Jaú – 14 points;
Gui Deodato – 13 points;
Maique – 13 points.

1st Bedroom
On the first shot of the night, Didi immediately showed his calling card and hit a three-pointer. Franco Balbi followed suit, also converting two shots from the perimeter. Botafogo, for their part, managed to recover during the quarter and evened the score by closing in on the scoreboard. Gabriel Jaú stood out in the game, playing impeccable defense and scoring on offense. In the final moments of the period, the Pride of the Nation regained the lead and closed the quarter at 31-22.

2st Bedroom
Botafogo returned for the second quarter with the deficit cut to just two points. After falling behind by one point, coach Gustavinho called a timeout to adjust the red-and-black team, which came back stronger and regained the lead. Even so, the derby remained very evenly matched. Only in the final minutes did FlaBasquete manage to open up a nine-point lead and go into halftime leading 52-43.

3st Bedroom
With 10 points in the match so far, Jaú scored the first two points of the second half for the red-and-blacks. Maique worked well in the paint, scoring two more. He also hit two more three-pointers. Mengão came back strong in the third quarter and opened up a big lead. With a 13-point lead, the Orgulho da Nação leads the derby 78-65. Devon Scott stands out with 18 points so far.

4st Bedroom
Another player who was very good on the court, Didi was inspired in the fourth quarter, hitting four consecutive perimeter shots for Mengão, who had a comfortable lead. With a flurry of three-pointers, the Pride of the Nation completely dominated the black and white team and closed the game with a century-high score: 102-78.  

Next challenge
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court next Saturday (10) to face Boca Juniors, at 11:10 am (Brasília time), at the La Bombonerita-ARG gym, in a round of Group C of the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA).

Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Didi, Maique and Gabriel Jaú.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.