BARQUISIMETO (FIBA Americas League) – Uniceub BRB have already experienced the joy of a FIBA Americas League title.

They won the second edition of the event in 2008-09.

The Brazilian club could not have had a better start to this year’s competition, claiming victories in all three of its Preliminary Round games in Group B over the weekend in Venezuela.

Uniceub BRB, and fellow Brazilians Flamengo, finished first and second in the pool to punch their tickets to the next phase.

Fuerza Regia ended up third and hosts Estrellas Occidentales came in fourth.

Uniceub knocked off Flamengo in the opener, 91-79, and then beat Venezuelans Estrellas Occidentales, 91-80.

Guilherme, who played for Brazil at the Olympics, had 21 points in Uniceub's second triumph.

"It was an important and very hard-fought win against the home team, which needed the positive result to recover from their defeat (101-85 to Fuerza Regia) in the first round," he said.

"The defense was key."

Uniceub, who also have Brazil international Alex Garcia, completed a perfect weekend with a 110-59 romp over Fuerza Regia.

Flamengo, meanwhile, bounced back from their opening night setback to Uniceub by thumping Fuerza Regia, 109-59, and then thrashing Estrellas Occidentales, 121-76.

"We achieved our goal which was to qualify for the next phase," said Flamengo's Arthur Belchior, who had 17 points against Estrellas.

Vitor Benite, who had 27 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals in that romp for Flamengo, added: "We needed to win to ensure our classification.

"Therefore, we started the game and imposed our rhythm, looking to take command of the score."

Fuerza Regia, whose only victory came on the opening day against Estrellas, still have a chance of advancing in the competition as one of the two best third-place teams.

Their fate will be decided when Capitanes de Arecibo, Sao Jose Dos Campos, Pioneros de Quintana Roo and Mavort have play in Group C (22-24 February).

FIBA