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Gilas tormentor Brazil routs Latvia, punches ticket to Paris Olympics

By Manila Times - 3 months ago

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas' tormentor Brazil punched a ticket to the Paris Olympics following its resounding 94-69 demolition of Latvia in their one-game finals at the close of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.

Brazil kicked off its run to the quadrennial Games spot with its scorching 8-of-8 from downtown to go up, 34-11 in the opening quarter. The team never looked back.

Leo Meindl led Brazil's attack with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Bruno Caboclo, who was later, named Tissot Most Valuable Player, also scored 21 points and added four rebounds.

"Can you imagine us being here with a ticket to Paris and after twenty minutes against Cameroon we were going home? That roller coaster of emotions is something unbelievable. We grew up as persons and as a unit team, and from then everything was well prepared" said Brazil head coach Aleksandar Petrovic during the post-game presser.

Brazil will be bunched in Group B in the Olympics, along with host nation France, reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champions Germany and Japan.

Brazil, which topped Group B in the FIBA OQT, routed the Philippines, 71-60 in their crossover semifinal tussle behind its superb offense and defense in the second half.

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