Brazil’s goal-scoring star beats Latvia to secure return to Olympics

A blistering first quarter makes the difference as Brazil secures its place at the Paris Games after crushing hosts Latvia in the FIBA ​​Olympic Qualifying Tournament

MANILA, Philippines – Brazil is off to a brilliant start on its return to Olympic basketball.

A blistering first quarter made the difference as Brazil secured its berth at the Paris Games by crushing hosts Latvia 94-69 to top the FIBA ​​Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga on Sunday, July 7 (Monday, July 8, Manila time).

Brazil, ranked 12th in the world, sank an astonishing 8 of 8 three-pointers in the first period to build a 34-11 lead and remained dominant for the rest of the game, finding its way back to the Olympics after missing the cut for the Tokyo Games.

Bruno Caboclo finished with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Leo Meindl scored 20 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals, making a significant contribution to this sensational start.

Meindl made three of the Brazilians’ first seven three-pointers before Caboclo – who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player – scored from beyond the halfway line before the final whistle of the first period, shocking the partisan crowd at Arena Riga.

Georginho de Paula contributed 14 points, including three three-pointers, while Brazil made 13 of 24 three-point shots for an efficient shooting rate of 54%.

Marcelo Huertas, one of the heroes in the 71-60 semifinal win over Gilas Pilipinas, once again made his mark with 12 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds, while Gui Santos scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Latvia showed signs of life when they came within 16 points at halftime (33:49), but lost 23:13 in the third period and Brazil completely ripped the game open.

Rihards Lomazs scored 15 points and 4 rebounds in the loss that prevented Latvia from ending its 88-year Olympic absence since last participating in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

This was a disappointing result for Latvia, especially since it was the best of the six teams in this OQT, ranked number 6 in the world, and had finished fifth at the previous FIBA ​​World Championship.

Arturs Zagars and Rolands Smits each contributed 14 points to the defeat.

The results

Brazil 94 – Caboclo 21, Meindl 20, De Paula 14, Huertas 12, Santos 12, Benite 9, Santos 3, Dias 3, Felicio 0, Louzada 0, Cardoso 0.

Latvia 69 – Lomazs 15, Zagars 14, Smits 14, Strautins 8, Zoriks 6, Cavars 4, Timma 3, Dav. Bertans 3, Mejeris 2, Kurucs 0, Dai. Bertan’s 0.

Quarters: 34–11, 49–33, 72–46, 94–69.

– Rappler.com