BRA - Paulistano net opening win

SAO PAULO (Campeonato Nacional) - Paulistano and Minas Tenis began the 18th Men’s Campeonato Nacional season in Brazil with excellent opening wins.

Luiz Alves Neto’s Paulistano side defeated Flamengo 87-76 in Sao Paulo, while Minas Tenis began the championship with a 79-69 triumph away to Joinville.

Alexandre was the star for Paulo Sampaio’s Flamengo with 23 points and seven rebounds, but they were in vain as Shamell and Leandrinho bagged 18 points apiece for the home team.

After the win, Neto was delighted with the overall team performance, despite his team taking the foot off the pedal during some phases of the game.

"To start with a win at home is always good, even more in such a difficult championship like the Campeonato Nacional," said the coach.

"Some players did what I was expecting from them, but the bench also had a good performance.

"We relaxed a bit in the second quarter, but then controlled the game to clinch a good result," added Neto.

In the days other game, Thomas was the hero for Minas as he netted an impressive 25 points in his team’s success.

This season the tournament, which was suspended last time out due to organisational problems, will be contested by 14 teams.

The teams will all play each other home and away, before the top eight progress to the quarter-finals.

From that stage of the tournament the teams will play best of five matches in each round.

PA Sport