A Very Proud Mexico Makes History at FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifier FIBA.com
go to original September 5, 2014

Korea v Mexico - Game Highlights - Group D - 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (FIBA)

Vavel Update: On Saturday, Team USA and Mexico kicked off the 2014 FIBA World Cup knockout stages in Barcelona, Spain, where Team USA handed Mexico an 86-63 loss and sent them home (see video highlights below).

More than 40 years after they last competed in FIBA's flagship event, Mexico on Thursday celebrated qualifying for the Final Phase of the tournament for the first time in their history.

For coach Sergio Valdeolmillos, it was another giant step on a giant-killing run that has made the basketball world take notice.

"We won the gold at the pre-World Cup (2013 FIBA Americas Championship) and at the Centrobasket, so we accomplished those goals, and today we accomplished another one," he said.

But Valdeolmillos also took time to reflect on the greater meaning of his team's 87-71 victory over Korea, which sets up a Round of 16 clash with the USA on Saturday in Barcelona.

"I feel really happy for the qualification for the next round, but the most important part is what my players and staff have been taking about," he said.

"What really matters is how will this influence Mexican basketball? Will it be positive for Mexico, and will this make a change to the problems Mexican basketball is facing right now?"

Forward Marco Ramos had little doubt this result would have a big impact back home.

"Today was a very important day for the history of Mexican basketball," he said.

Read the rest at FIBA.com

USA v Mexico - Game Highlights - Round of 16 - 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (FIBA)

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