Even with the team depleted and quite worn out, after a long trip back to Rio last Friday, coming from Santiago del Estero (Argentina), where they were eliminated from the South American League, Flamengo imposed their favoritism and defeated Cetaf , from Vila Velha (ES), by 99x70. The game, held on Sunday morning at the HSBC Arena, in Rio de Janeiro, marked the debut of the two-time Brazilian champion team in the 2009/10 season of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), the main championship in the Brazilian calendar.

The first quarter scoreboard set the tone for the game. Flamengo opened up a 33-22 lead. In the following quarter, the team—missing Fred, Jefferson Alírio, and Ian— controlled the game and opened up another five points, ending the first half with a 59x43 lead.

In the return match, in the third quarter, Flamengo slowed down, but still increased the lead by one point (17-16 in the third quarter). The final period was much easier, ending at 23-11. Final score, 99-70.

Marcelinho Machado led all scorers with 39 points - 30 of them on 10 three-pointers. Hélio also made a difference with 20 points, five points and one assist. Rounding out the scoring were Coloneze (9 points), Teichmann (8), Duda (8), Wagner (7), Vitor (4) and Dedé (4). The standouts for Vila Velha Cetaf/Garoto/UVV were Mc Neil (21 points) and Alexandre (16).

Flamengo's next NBB match will be next Friday, also at the HSBC Arena, against Saldanha da Gama.

Check the game statistics on the National Basketball League website.

Meet Flamengo's team for the season

Learn more about HSBC Arena, Flamengo's home in the 2009/10 NBB

See the schedule for Flamengo's games in the first phase of the NBB 2009/10