LAS VEGAS – When Silvano Alves was asked on Friday night how he and the Nashville Stampede felt coming into Las Vegas for the PBR Team Series Championship, he grinned slyly.

“I like this place,” he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

The world can always expect big things from the three-time World Champion in Sin City. He’s won his three gold buckles, plus the 2014 World Finals event title, with four 90-point rides, raking in more than $4 million.

Luckily for the Stampede, it was Alves up in a big spot with their season on the line.

In their Round 2 matchup against the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, the Stampede were up 178.75-175.25 with just two riders remaining – Alves closing for the Stampede and two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme closing for the Gamblers.

A lead of basically nil meant nothing with Leme looming and capable of throwing down 90-point rides with more ease than any rider in history.

In the most critical moment of the season, Alves converted for 86.25 points on Game Over.

Leme bucked off of Show Me Homie in a devastating 7.62 seconds, and it was indeed game over.

The No. 8-seeded Nashville Stampede are officially the Cinderella story in Las Vegas.

“I’m very happy about my ride. It was a great ride. And they put the pressure on my back,” Alves said with a laugh. “But I like Vegas. I always love riding in this place here in Vegas. Every time, I joke that this is my house. I’m very happy, and very happy for my team to win, and Kaique (Pacheco) and Joao (Henrique Lucas) to ride their bulls. Everybody finished their job, and it’s just step by step.”

Indeed, the Stampede were bolstered by two other rides. Lucas started the evening off strong for the Stampede as the first man out, riding Black Ice for 88.5 points. 2018 World Champion Pacheco then converted in the four slot with 90.25 points on Gangster Time.

The Gamblers received rides from Ramon de Lima (87.75 points on Chief) and Lucas Divino (87.5 points on Whip), but it wasn’t enough.

“Winning’s fun,” said Stampede head coach Justin McBride hoarsely after an impassioned locker room celebratory speech at the top of his lungs.

“This is why you put yourself through the hard work, the injuries, the coming back, the rehabs, all the different things that you have to go through to be a great bull rider. This is why you do it. For the chance to compete at the highest level, at the mecca of your sport, and in bull riding, this is it. So, it’s been awesome.”

After going 7-20-1 in the regular season and with no winning streak longer than two consecutive games, the Stampede have won two in a row, four of their last five, and are two wins away from winning the whole damn thing.

“(We have) not changed nothing,” Alves said. “Every single week, it’s still the same. Just try better and better for getting better and better for coming here for the Championship. It’s part of the game. The game is sometimes good, sometimes no good, but every time, we ride our bulls. It happens. That’s life.”

Indeed, the Stampede’s record may have been misleading. They had more qualified rides and a higher riding percentage than the Oklahoma Freedom, who ended the season 16-12 and in the No. 3 seed, and the Missouri Thunder, who finished No. 6 and 13-15.

But regardless, it seems as though a switch flipped when they touched down in Las Vegas.

“We’ve got guys that have competed and have been champions in this place before, and when everything is on the line, it matters,” McBride said. “And our guys are riding free. They’re not riding with fear. They’re not riding with doubt. They’re riding free, and they’re showing up.”

Alves confirms that while he knew the stakes when he climbed into the chute Saturday night, he was able to shake it off.

“A lot of pressure, but I know my job,” he said. “I know I work hard. I know my career. Just ride my bull jump for jump and finish my job for all the people who enjoy my rides and all the fans of PBR who come to watch us here.”

Finishing that job meant joy for the Stampede, who will face off against the No. 2 Texas Rattlers in the semifinals at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday (4 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network). The Rattlers dropped their first game on Saturday to the Arizona Ridge Riders and won the Last Chance Game to stay alive.

Can the ultimate underdog squad keep it going?

“I always say there’s a time,” Alves said. “A bull riding career, like a game, is sometimes good, at the top, and sometimes down. But everybody here works hard, and it’s the time. Time for time, jump for jump. And I thank God. God has a plan for each ride, and if you believe in him, you’ve got to find his plan.”

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media