By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Brazil is the first finalist of the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga.
Aco Petrovic’s team defeated the Philippines 71-60 after a second-half dominance and will fight for a place at the Paris Olympics against Cameroon or Latvia.
Bruno Caboclo led the winning side with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds for a game-high PIR of 24. Marcelinho Huertas also played a big role with 13 points and seven assists, while Lucas Dias was on the verge of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Justin Brownlee led the Philippines with 15 points and eight rebounds, Dwight Ramos followed with 13 points, while June Mar Fajardo had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. C.J. Perez also finished in double digits with 10 points.
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Third straight win for Bahamas and a place in the final
Bahamas are one step away from a historic place at the 2024 Paris Olympics, after defeating Lebanon 89-72 in the semifinals of the 2024 FIBA OQT in Valencia.
DeAndre Ayton dominated with 24 points and 14 rebounds, but another NBA player also reached double figures, with Buddy Hield adding 19 points and 10 assists. NBA veteran Eric Gordon and talented Valdez Edgecombe followed them with 13 points each.
On the other side, Sergio El Darwich had 22 points for Lebanon, Hayk Gyokchyan followed him with 13, while Omari Spellman finished with 12 points.
The Bahamas will face Spain in the final after the win of the hosts over Finland.
Latvia beats Cameroon to face Brazil for the Olympics spot
After Brazil took down Philippines, Latvia defeated Cameroon 59-72 in the other semifinal clash at FIBA OQT in Riga, to join the South American team in the final and move one step closer to the place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rihards Lomazs led the way for Latvia with 20 points, Rolands Smits added 13 points and six rebounds, and Davis Bertans scored 12 points on 4/9 shooting beyond the arc.
On the other side, only William Narace finished in double digits with 14 points, while Tamenang Choh added nine points and seven rebounds.
Zubac leads Croatia past Dominican Republic
It was a tough game for Croatia, but they managed to defeat the resilient Dominican Republic 77-80 and book a place in the final of the 2024 FIBA OQT in Piraeus, where they’ll face the hosts, Greece.
Ivica Zubac was unstoppable for the winning side, scoring 25 points on 10-10 shooting from the field, alongside nine rebounds.Jaleen Smith and Dario Saric added 14 points each, while Mario Hezonja scored 12 points as Croatia moves one step closer to participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
For the Dominican Republic, Chris Duarte had 17 points, Andres Feliz and Jean Montero added 13 each, Eloy Vargas scored 11, and Angel Nunez had 10 points.
Lithuania beats Italy and will face Puerto Rico.
Behind 23 points by Marius Grigonis, Lithuania got an easy win over Italy and made it to the final of the Puerto Rico qualifiers.
The final score was 88-64 as Lithuania went on a 21-4 run spanning the end of the second and the beginning of the third periods to open a 19-point lead and take full control of the action.
Italy fought back but the closest they got was 12 points late in the third.
In the last semifinal, hosts Puerto Rico beat Mexico 98-78.
Tremont Waters scored 15 of his 24 points in the third quarter as he helped Puerto Rico withstand Mexico’s valiant comeback attempts and expand their lead.
Jordan Howard (20 points), Jose Alvarado (12 points and 3 assists), Christopher Ortiz (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Ismael Romero (10 points and 3 rebounds) also had massive contributions to the winning cause.
Fabian Jaimes (23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals) and Karim Rodriguez (13 points) went a combined 6-for-12 from long distance as they tried to keep Mexico in the game. Jaimes had a game-high 31 efficiency.
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments
Piraeus
- Greece – Slovenia 96-68
- Croatia – Dominican Republic 80-77
- Final: Greece – Croatia (7/7, 20:00 CET)
The winner goes to Group A of the Olympic Games alongside Australia, Canada, and the Valencia OQT winner
Riga
- Brazil – Philippines 71-60
- Cameroon – Latvia 59-72
- Final: Brazil – Latvia (7/7, 18:00 CET)
The winner goes to Group B of the Olympic Games alongside France, Germany, and Japan
San Juan
- Italy – Lithuania 64-88
- Puerto Rico – Mexico 98-78
- Final (8/7, 00:00 CET)
The winner goes to Group C of the Olympic Games alongside Serbia, South Sudan, and the United States
Valencia
- Bahamas – Lebanon 89-72
- Spain – Finland 81-74
- Final: Bahamas – Spain/Finland (7/7, 20:30 CET)
The winner goes to Group A of the Olympic Games alongside Australia, Canada, and the Piraeus OQT winner