The Mexican team defeated their pair from Uruguay to stay strong in their goal of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
The Mexican basketball team beat Uruguay 80-60 and continued its path to next year’s World Cup by climbing to second place in group F of the Americas qualifiers.
At the Manuel Bernardo Aguirre Gymnasium in Chihuahua, the Mexicans improved their record to six wins and three losses, behind the United States, leading in their sector with seven wins and two losses; Uruguay finished fourth by going 5-4.
Mexico took advantage of the gaps created by their turnover and sharpshooters Francisco ‘Pako’ Cruz and captain Gabriel Girón combined to make two triples each to put the North Americans ahead 18-12 at first quarter
Cruz, in addition to his good mid-range shooting, was also accurate in the inside game to lead the North American team with eight points in the opening period against a Uruguay that could never get ahead on the scoreboard. In the second quarter, Cruz and Girón continued to charge Mexico and also combined for 13 points that helped their team lead 40-26 at halftime.
With their two banners, the Mexicans got more than half a dozen on the scoreboard, while the Uruguayans had their bench as their best weapons, as the starters failed to influence the attack. As a result, Uruguay collapsed and committed turnovers in the third quarter that put them down by as many as 21 points, and Girón punctuated the contest with two more triples.
Girón’s performance and the mistakes of the South Americans led Mexico to 66-48 in the last 10 minutes, despite the push of the Uruguayan substitutes. In a defining game, Quintero rested his starters in the final period as Uruguay continued without posing a threat to Mexico.
Girón was the top scorer for Mexico in the first game of the fifth qualifying window, adding 20 points, six rebounds and one assist. For his part, Esteban Batista was the best Uruguayan with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
The next game for the Mexicans is on Monday the 14th when they host Brazil, in a battle for second place in group F; Uruguay will visit Puerto Rico, a match they cannot lose to continue their quest to reach the World Cup.
Cover photo: fibawc
Source: Tycsports
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