The Mexican basketball team finished second in Group Din the first round of the FIBA Americas qualification heading to the 2023 World Cup in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Los 12 Warriors finished the third qualifying window with a overtime loss against Puerto Rico in San Juan (97-87), but they kept second place towards the second phase of this World Cup tie.
The Puerto Ricans were more accurate, with 54.29% effectiveness in doubles against 45.83 for the Mexicans. In addition, those from Puerto Rico surpassed Mexico in triples (43.33% against 35.29%) and in free throws completed (66.67% against 58.33%).
The game on the boards was also fundamental, with 51 rebounds for Puerto Rico (37 defensive and 14 offensive) against 35 for Mexico (25 defensive and 10 offensive). Mexico got into the match thanks to the points after loss (20 against Puerto Rico’s 15), counterattack points (12 against 11) and points in the paint (40 against 34), but they suffered when the starting five rested, with 14 points against 36 for Puerto Rico off the bench.
Mexico recovered from a difference of 18 points (51-33 with 26 seconds to play in the second quarter and forced overtime to 84 points, but they ran out of gas in overtime, which ended with a partial of 13-3 in favor of the Caribbean.
daniel friend was the man with the greatest statistical contribution with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists, followed by Paco Cruz (19-4-5) y Gabriel Giron (14-1-1). For Puerto Rico, Joseph Alvarado (of the New Orleans Pelicans) was the main architect of the team with 22 points, seven rebounds and the same number of assists.
What’s next for Mexico?
In the second round of this FIBA Americas ranking, the twelve qualified teams are divided into two groups of six. The teams from Group A will be paired with those from Group C, while those from Group B will be paired with those from Group D.
Here the advantage is that all results from the first qualifying round carry over to the second roundso that 4-2 record counts for Mexico.
The top three teams from each group along with the fourth best placed team will earn a ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Second level
Group E
- Canada (6-0) – 12 points – difference in points scored / received: 198
- Venezuela (5-1) – 11 points – difference from basketed/received points: 126
- Argentina (5-1) – 12 points – difference in points scored/received: 73
- Dominican Republic (4-2) – 10 points – difference in points scored / received: 73
- Panama (2-4) – 8 points – difference from basketed/received points: -8
- Bahamas (2-4) – 8 points – difference in points scored/received: -82
Group F
- Brazil (5-1) – 11 points – difference in points scored / received: 122
- United States (5-1) – 11 points – difference from basketed/received points: 66
- Uruguay (4-2) – 10 points – difference in points scored/received: 10
- Mexico (4-2) – 10 points – difference from basketed/received points: 0
- Puerto Rico (3-3) – 9 points – difference in points scored/received: -7
- Colombia (2-4) – 8 points – difference from basketed/received points: -74
At this time, Mexico is out of position for the World Cup, because although it is fourth in Group F, the Dominican Republic is benefiting from the difference in points scored and points received.
The second round will start on August 25th; Mexico will face Colombia. On the 29th of that same month he touched him before Brazil. Juan Toscano is expected to be present at these games, as he has no NBA commitments.
OMCS
