The red-black basketball team goes to São Paulo, this Friday (31.10), to make its debut in NBB 7, at 19:30 pm. The 2014/2015 season of Novo Basquete Brasil has as its first game of the championship the re-edition of the final of the last edition of the tournament, between Flamengo and Paulistano, two of the strongest teams in the competition.

After a string of victories last season, the Pride of the Nation faces the challenge of retaining the trophy. Despite having won two major titles in recent months—the World Championship and the consecutive State Championship—the team rejects the label of favorite and prepares for major challenges throughout the national season.

"Expectations for the championship are always high. The NBB has been growing with each edition, the teams have strengthened significantly, and defending a title is always a huge responsibility. We've grown significantly, and we need to continue that growth. The goal is to repeat what we did in last year's final, debut well, and return to Rio de Janeiro with a victory, but we're sure they'll be highly motivated to defeat us. We'll iron out the final details so we can enter the NBB focused and start this season well," said the red-and-black point guard, Gegê.

Flamengo and Paulistano meet five months after the last NBB final. Flamengo emerged victorious after a hard-fought match, with a score of 78-73. Jerome Meyinsse was the top scorer in the match, which culminated in the Rubro-Negro's third national championship.