The NBB has begun! In search of the eighth star of the competition, the Pride of the Nation debuted this Saturday, October 12th, in the best possible way at the Tijuca Tennis Club. Not even Vasco's single-fan base was able to intimidate the red-and-blacks, and, maintaining the tradition of the last eight Clássico dos Milhões on the courts, the Mais Querido won for the eighth time in a row (in a total of nine matches in the competition). With a revamped squad and still in the early stages of its history, Flamengo showed cohesion and quality on the court, winning 59-50. The red-and-blacks' next match is against São José, next Thursday (17), at 19:30 pm, in the city of São Paulo.

Highlights
Taya Gallizzi - 16 points;
Gui Deodato - 12 points;
Shaq Johnson - 9 points;
Lucas Siewert - 9 points.


The game
Vasco da Gama started the match with three new faces in its starting lineup. Franco Balbi and Gui Deodato were familiar faces, leading the team on the court alongside Lucas Siewert, Shaq Johnson, and Taya Gallizzi. From the opening moments, the game was a tight affair. Vasco took a 6-0 lead, but the Pride of the Nation quickly rallied with two three-pointers from Balbi and Lucas Siewert. The first half was a close affair, and the first quarter ended with Vasco holding a slight lead: 14-11.

The Flamengo comeback came before halftime. In the second quarter, Flamengo's game improved, and the halfway point was 25-22. The score remained even for half the period, but eight consecutive Flamengo points sealed the comeback. Collective play was the Pride of the Nation's greatest asset: every Flamengo player who played for at least a minute scored at least one basket. Alexey scored a three-pointer, and five players scored two points: Gui Deodato, Balbi, Johnson, Siewert, and Gallizzi.

In the second half, Vasco even scored the first basket, but the Flamengo's superiority soon asserted itself again. Gui Deodato and Lucas Siewert scored from outside the paint, and the Pride of the Nation's lead continued to grow. Flamengo won the third quarter with authority: 20-12.

The match reached its final stretch, and the tie once again prevailed. With the advantage built throughout the match, the Pride of the Nation's victory was never threatened. Not even Vasco's partial lead in the fourth quarter affected the final result, and the Most Beloved emerged victorious.

Argentine Taya Gallizzi was the star of the night. His debut with the Sacred Mantle in the NBB couldn't have gone better: he was the top scorer of the night and his 16 points were accompanied by eight rebounds, a mark only lower than the ten rebounds recovered by Johnatan Luz.

Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Shaq Johnson, Gui Deodato, Lucas Siewert and Taya Gallizzi.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.