Mexico defeated Cuba in its search for the ticket to the World Cup

The team led by Omar Quintero surpassed the Cuban team and consolidated in the second position of their group.

The Mexican team defeated the Cuban team 75-66last in the area with five defeats out of five, and secured second place in group D of the first round of the Americas qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup.

The result kept Mexico, already with the ticket to the second round, in second place of his area with 4 wins and one loss, the same mark as the leader united stateswhich boasts better point production.

In the gym Manuel Bernardo Aguirre of Chihuahuathe locals won 18-16 in a tight first quarterthanks to win on counterattacks against some Cubans who showed strength in painting.

The difference was marked in the field goalsin which the best was the veteran Francis ‘Paco’ Cruzwho converted two of his three attempts, one of them a triple that helped him lead his team with five points in the first period.

The guard of the Turkish Tofas continued with the fine aim in the shots of three and went 2-for-3 in the second quarter against a Cuba that lost solidity in painting.

It is because of that Mexico led 42-36 at halftime with another good performance from Cruzwho added eight more points to his account to reach 13 units.

But had to wait until the third quarter to have a double-digit lead for the first time. The Cubans were condemned with their turnovers and those errors meant 10 points for the locals.

It was at that moment that Gabriel Girón took center stage for the Mexicans with eight points, six of them from the triple. And although Cuba reduced the deficit, Paul Stoll completed a five-point fourth quarter to help Mexico to define the match by 75-66.

The top scorers were Stoll for the Mexicans and Jasiel Rivero for the other side, both with 17 units. The group led by Omar Quintero will close its participation in the first round of the qualifiers by visiting Puerto Rico on Monday 4 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.