Pako Cruz Leads Mexico to Victory Against New Zealand in FIBA ​​World Cup 2023

The Mexican Basketball Team defeated New Zealand 108-100 in the 2023 World Cup Qualifying Phase, to stay in the fight for America’s ticket to the pre-Olympic playoffs.

In Manila, Philippines, Francisco “Pako” Cruz was the best scorer for Mexico, with 27 points, as well as four rebounds and five assists. Reuben Te Rangi was the New Zealand leader with 32 units. It was Mexico’s first victory in this World Cup, in which they lost in their first three games in the Group Phase.

When they fell in the first round, the Mexicans were left out of the fight for the title, but now they are playing a Qualifying Phase, from positions 17 to 32, in which the country’s aspirations to attend the Games are also at stake. Paris 2024 Olympics.

Pako Cruz led Mexico’s first win at the FIBA ​​World Cup 2023 against New Zealand

The Mexican National Team was led in the first quarter by its captain Gabriel Girón, who hit two triples and eight points in total, so that his team led 31-22 at the end of the first quarter. The Mexicans dominated the paint in the first period and took advantage of their rivals’ losses to turn them into baskets.

Pako Cruz was the Mexican leader in the second period, in which the veteran shooting guard dispatched 11 points, nine of them when he made his first three long-range shots of the duel. Also, the Aztecs remained the owners of the painted zone and had the support of their substitutes to reach halftime 57-41 ahead.

Cruz remained the leader of the Mexican offense in the third round, contributing eight more points, and had the support of Joshua Ibarra, who scored eight more points. The contribution of these players and not giving up in the paint allowed Mexico to reach the last quarter winning 78-68.

The Mexicans had a scare in the last quarter, thanks to the best performance by New Zealand, who dispatched 32 points, 13 of them the work of Reuben Te Rangi, which in the end were not enough and the Americans won the game 108-100.

When will Mexico play again in the 2023 Basketball World Cup?

The next match of the Mexican National Team will be this Saturday against Jordan, the last of the “12 Warriors” in the competition and in which they will define whether or not they qualify for the pre-Olympic playoffs. New Zealand will close their participation in the World Cup against Egypt, the same Saturday.

2023-08-31 12:49:03
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