Who was the best player of each group in Riga?

RIGA (Latvia) - Looking at the two respective groups prior to the start of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Riga, both Philippines and Cameroon were labelled as the underdogs.

Instead of living up to that billing, both excelled and were able to pull out wins against Group winners Latvia and Brazil.

Their possible fairytale and dream path towards an ultimate Paris 2024 berth could continue, after both qualified for the Semi-Finals.

Two guys had a hugely significant role in achieving that ticket to the last four.

Group A - Justin Brownlee - Philippines

Statistics:

34.0 efficiency, 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists per game - 52.8% FG, 43.8% 3PT, 100% FT

Davis Bertans, Nikola Vucevic, Kendrick Perry, and Arturs Zagars. These are just a few names that could have made it here after the first phase in Group A.

Instead, it was Brownlee that completely took Arena Riga by storm. This was both in the outstanding Philippines' debut against the Latvian hosts and in the sweet loss to Georgia, being named TCL Player of the Game in each outing.

Now facing Brazil in the Semi-Finals, the so-called "Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball" will need to put his national team on his shoulders once again.

But you would not back against him, having averaged some sensational numbers so far. In fact, he's leading the competition in both scoring and in efficiency.

Who do you think is the best player in OQT Latvia? Vote now!

FAN VOTE: Who is the TISSOT MVP in OQT 2024 Latvia?

Group B - Jeremiah Hill - Cameroon

Statistics:

16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game - 55.6% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 80.0% FT

Hill was already in Cameroonian hearts from his unbelievable performances last year in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Since traveling to Riga, he has been able to continue where he left off with two hugely influential displays for Alfred Aboya's squad.

Already making his presence felt against Montenegro, dropping a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists in the defeat, he turned unstoppable against early favorites Brazil.

Finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, he extended Cameroon's stay in Riga.

Heading to another huge fight against Latvia, he hopes to pull off another upset and on this red-hot form, you can't rule it out.

FIBA