Flamengo opened with a dominant 99-66 victory over Botafogo in the Novo Basquete Brasil Opening Tournament in Belo Horizonte.
Domestic basketball had an electrifying start this Tuesday (6), as the traditional Rio de Janeiro derby shook the Dona Salomé Arena. Part of the Novo Basquete Brasil Opening Tournament, the preseason competition brought together two of the biggest names in the sport for a head-to-head matchup marking the start of their journey in the country’s top flight.
The defending tournament champions, the Orgulho da Nação, blew past their archrivals, securing a dominant 33-point victory with a 99-66 scoreline. The matchup served to test the Rubro-Negro roster under head coach Demétrius Ferracciú, displaying depth and resilience right from the opening minutes on the court.
The derby’s start and the Rubro-Negro comeback
The game started with a surprise, as Botafogo managed to dictate the initial pace and took the lead. However, Flamengo‘s response came quickly, driven by high defensive intensity and a standout performance from Didi Louzada, who took charge on offense and led the comeback before the first quarter ended.
Although their opponents tried to level the playing field in the second period, the depth of the Rubro-Negro roster made the difference before halftime. With key players returning to the game, the lead was restored, allowing the red-and-black squad to go into the locker room leading 49-34.
The decisive third-quarter surge
The knockout blow came after halftime when the Flamengo offense completely took off. Point guard Yago Mateus, who went scoreless in the first half, knocked down an impressive streak of three consecutive three-pointers, pulling apart the Botafogo defense.
Our team performance in the second half was crucial to building a comfortable lead and controlling the tempo until the final whistle.
With the lead extended to 80-53 at the end of the third period, the final quarter was simply a matter of managing the roster. The team cleverly ran down the clock, securing the victory without any scares and extending their recent dominance over their Rio rivals.
Next steps in the Opening Tournament
Drawn in Group B alongside Botafogo, Tatuí, and Minas, Flamengo continues its tournament run this Wednesday (7), taking on Tatuí at 11:30 a.m. BRT. Group stage play wraps up on Friday (9) at 5:00 p.m. against Minas.
Only the top team in each group will secure a spot in the grand final, scheduled for Saturday (10). This dominant start reinforces the Gávea club’s credentials as they pursue another major title in Brazilian basketball.
