GILAS Pilipinas is just two wins away from being one of four countries eager to catch the last bus to Paris for this year’s Summer Olympics.
So near yet still so far.
That’s because up next for the Filipino dribblers is Brazil in the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia on Saturday night.
The Brazilians are the world’s 12th-ranked team that’s coached by Croatian Aleksandar Petrovic and assisted by NBA veteran Tiago Splitter.
The South American side is also undefeated against the Philippines in four head-to-head matchups, the last as far back as 1978 in a 119-72 rout in the World Championship semifinals.
READ: Brazil has dominated PH teams in the past. Can Gilas flip the script?
Like Latvia and Georgia, Brazil is not lacking in big men who can shoot from long-range. It also has a couple of steady playmakers who look to steer the squad to a return to the Olympics after missing the Tokyo edition in 2021.
Here are five key players whom Gilas has to keep an eye on in their Final Four game that tips off at 8:30 p.m.
LUCAS DIAS
The 6-foot-10 power forward is one of Brazil’s stretch big men.
The 2023 Brazil league MVP and a three-time champion, Dias put up 16 points on 3-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, six boards, one assist, and one steal in over 35 minutes in their close loss to Cameroon.
He’ll look to gift himself a win against Gilas, as he celebrates his 29th birthday on game day.
BRUNO CABOCLO
The 6-foot-9 center has the most NBA experience on the Brazilian side.
The 20th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by Toronto, Caboclo played seven years in the league for the Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets. His best season came in 2018-19 with the Grizzlies when he averaged 8.3 points, 4.6 boards, 1.5 assists, and one block in 23.5 minutes.
Now playing for Serbian team Partizan, the 28-year-old big man is Brazil’s leading scorer in the OQT so far with 17.5 points in two games.
He had 10 points, made his two treys, and grabbed four rebounds in 24 minutes against Cameroon.
LEO MEINDL
The 6-foot-7 small forward is one of Brazil’s most efficient shooters, averaging 2.5 in two games on a 55 percent clip.
The 31-year-old plays professionaly for Alvark Tokyo in the Japan B.League, making him familiar to the Asian style of play.
READ: Brazil coach warns Gilas 'highly technical with excellent players'
Meindl displayed his sharpshooting against Cameroon, putting up a team-high 19 points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 35 minutes.
YAGO DOS SANTOS
Even without eight-year NBA veteran Raul Neto, who hurt his knee after their first game against Montenegro, Brazil has two more capable court generals.
One is Dos Santos.
A pint-sized, 5-foot-9 playmaker, Dos Santos stands tall with his facilitating, leading his team in assists through two contests with six per game.
The reigning Adriatic league finals MVP, the 25-year-old dished out seven assists on top of contributing six points and six rebounds in 24 minutes against Cameroon.
MARCELO HUERTAS
The 6-foot-3 point guard is the oldest player on the team at 41, but he’s still the straw that stirs the Brazilian offense.
Undrafted in 2005, Huertas eventually got the opportunity to play in the NBA a decade later for the Lakers when he became the second-oldest rookie at 32.
A three-time Spanish league assists leader and the reigning Basketball Champions League MVP, Huertas orchestrated the Brazil offense against Cameroon with seven assists, five boards, and four points in 24 minutes.
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