The Pride of the Nation came to Argentina with a clear mission: win at least one of their matches in the third window of the Champions League Americas (BCLA) and qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament. And they did!

In the very first game, the job was accomplished. FlaBasquete defeated Boca Jrs 87-79 at La Bombonerita and qualified for the next stage of the Copa Libertadores.

The match, held on Saturday morning (10), saw the red-black team increasingly mature under the command of Gustavo De Conti. Flamengo took the lead from the start, and even with the home team playing for their lives in the tournament, supported by a crowd that filled the gym, they knew how to dictate the pace and slow down the Argentine momentum.

The Mais Querido's standout performer in the match was a longtime friend of the Xeneize fans: Franco Balbi! The Wizard, Boca Jrs' point guard last season, led the way. FlaBasquete's top scorer scored 19 points, also leading the team in efficiency.

Devon Scott, now legally eligible to play in all of the team's games this season, was a force in the paint and, for the second straight game, recorded a double-double! He had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the North American.

With the results from the Argentine window, FlaBasquete now knows it will face Obras Sanitárias, also from Argentina, in the BCLA quarterfinals. The "Mais Querido" will have home court in two best-of-three matches, having qualified first, when the teams face off between March 4th and 11th. Keep your feet on the ground and keep moving forward!

Partials: 1st quarter (20x21), 2nd quarter (18x20), 3rd quarter (15x20) and 4th quarter (26x26)

Starting quintet:
Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Gabriel Jaú, Kayo Gonçalves and Devon Scott.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.