GILAS Pilipinas just missed out on a rematch with its upset victim Latvia.
The host country turned back Cameroon, 72-59, early Sunday and will now face Brazil in their Olympic Qualifying Tournament winner-take-all for a berth in the Paris Games.
The Latvians drew 20 points from shooting guard Rihards Lomazs, who shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line, Roland Smits had 13, while Charlotte Hornets big man Davis Bertans added 12 on 4-of-9 shooting from deep, the last of which proved to be the dagger in the final 56 seconds that gave the host a 70-59 lead.
The world no. 6 ranked team in the world – which lost to the Philippines in a monumental upset three days ago, 89-80 – goes up against the Brazilian on Monday as it seeks a return to the Olympics after 88 years or since the 1936 Berlin Games.
Brazil, ranked no. 12 in the world, earlier came back from a double-digit first half deficit to take down giant-killing Gilas Pilipinas, 71-60, in the other semifinals match at Arena Riga.
The Latvians went on a 12-0 run in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to peel off from what had been a tight contest, 61-50.
But Cameroon clawed its way back and threatened at 59-65, before Latvia answered by stringing five straight points capped by Bertans’ clutch three for the clincher.
Williams Narace paced the Cameroonians with 14 points.
The scores
Latvia (72) – Lomazs 20, Smits 13, D. Bertans 12, Zoriks 7, Zagars 6, Mejeris 5, Strautins 4, Dairis Bertans 3, Kurucs 1, Cavars 1, Timma 0, Strelnieks 0.
Cameroon (59) – Narace 14, Choh 9, Ateba 6, Eboua 6, Gbetkom 5, Bayehe 5, Hill 4, B. Bidias 4, Nyama 4, R. Bidias 2, Kome 0, Tetchueng 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19; 38-35; 53-50; 72-59.
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