Flamengo beat CAIXA/Brasília 78-73 to win the NBB Opening Tournament for a second straight year

Flamengo are champions of the NBB Opening Tournament again. On Saturday night at the Ginásio Dona Salomé in Belo Horizonte, the Rubro-Negro beat CAIXA/Brasília 78-73 in the final and lifted the trophy for the second year in a row.

The game was never far from even. Flamengo led by four after one quarter, by three at half-time and by two going into the last 10 minutes. In the final stretch, Yago hit a three that settled it.

Flamengo won all four of their games in the tournament, the preseason event that opens the Brazilian season. Didi Louzada, back in Brazil this season, was named the tournament's MVP.

How the final went

Both defences were physical from the start. Flamengo won the first quarter 19-15. CAIXA/Brasília won the second 19-18, and it was 37-34 to Flamengo at half-time.

Flamengo went eight points clear in the third quarter, led by Didi and Yago. CAIXA/Brasília came back. Fernández and Zu Jr. combined for 12 points in the quarter, the team from the Federal District won it 20-19, and they trailed only 56-54 with 10 minutes left.

In the fourth quarter, Ruan Miranda controlled the paint for Flamengo, and Zu Jr. kept scoring for CAIXA/Brasília. Flamengo won the quarter 22-19, and Yago's three in the closing minutes was the last blow.

The numbers

Ruan Miranda had a double-double for Flamengo: 14 points and 12 rebounds, seven of them on the offensive glass. Didi Louzada scored 13 and Manel 11. Flamengo out-rebounded CAIXA/Brasília 63-41, with 23 offensive rebounds, and made 17 of 21 free throws.

Zu Jr. led CAIXA/Brasília with 21 points and made five of seven threes. Kauan Raymundo scored 17 with nine rebounds, and Fernández scored 14. CAIXA/Brasília made 11 threes to Flamengo's seven, but went to the line 16 times to Flamengo's 21.

That is the game in two numbers. CAIXA/Brasília's 11 threes were worth 33 points to Flamengo's 21, a 12-point edge from outside. Flamengo made it back on the glass, where its 23 offensive rebounds meant 23 extra chances in a game decided by five points.

Franco Baralle lifted the trophy for Flamengo, coached by Demétrius Ferracciú.

Scoring

Flamengo: Ruan Miranda 14, Didi Louzada 13, Manel 11, Djalo 10, Negrete 9, Yago 8, Montero 7, Dos Santos 6, Igor 0, JP 0, Franco Baralle 0.

CAIXA/Brasília: Zu Jr. 21, Kauan Raymundo 17, Fernández 14, Buiú 7, Cylla 5, Bastian 5, Crescenzi 4, Gueiros 0.

By quarter: Flamengo 19, 18, 19, 22. CAIXA/Brasília 15, 19, 20, 19.

The rest of the tournament

Both finalists arrived unbeaten. Flamengo reached the final with wins over Botafogo (99-66), Tatuí (90-63) and Minas Storm (77-62). CAIXA/Brasília won Group A with wins over Fluminense (87-68), Itatiaiuçu Cruzeiro (80-71) and Caxias do Sul (86-56). Flamengo won their four games by an average of 20 points. The five-point final was their closest game of the week, and CAIXA/Brasília's first loss. Minas Storm finished third, beating Itatiaiuçu Cruzeiro 81-73. Caxias do Sul took fifth with an 86-72 win over Tatuí, and Botafogo beat Fluminense 83-72 for seventh.

What is next

The NBB regular season starts on Saturday, October 17. Flamengo open at home against Bauru at the Maracanãzinho on Sunday, October 18, at 11:00. CAIXA/Brasília play in the Liga Sul-Americana on Friday, October 16.

Update: Flamengo got their first NBB win of the season, 81-71 over Botafogo.