Character. This was the term coach José Neto used to describe his FlaBasquete team. With three wins in three games in the South American Basketball League, the Pride of the Nation finished the first phase atop Group A and showed everyone what they were made of in the competition. For Neto, the team overcame adversity on and off the court to emerge victorious, just as he expected the group to do. 

"It was an important victory for this team, which only recently started working together. In a group as difficult as the South American, with three strong teams, coming out with three wins was a significant achievement. More importantly, it showed the team's character. The victories came from the team's character in overcoming difficulties, the lack of ideal preparation, and the conditions we had here. And being able to leave here with three wins demonstrates this character," said Neto, who, despite celebrating the results, noted that there is still much work ahead. 

"We'll take care of the things we need to improve in the coming weeks and we'll work hard. But the important thing is that this team has a lot of spirit and will be able to meet Flamengo's expectations and what we want as a team," concluded the coach. 

FlaBasquete begins its return this Friday, arriving in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. 

The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.