Mexico: No pressure in being characterized as Group A favorite

MEDELLIN (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Just by peeking into the list of players that will compete in the Group A teams, it appears as if the Mexican squad is destined to be the favorite to achieve the only available pass in the group to the Final Four in Córdoba, Argentina.

This could exert some pressure on the Aztecs, who were continental champions in 2013. However, being the favorites does not intimidate Mexico.

“That's not the case at all. The other teams might not have well-known names, but they're good. Brazil and Puerto Rico can't be left out. Colombia has a lot of young talents. We must play three consecutive games in this tournament. We have to play hard and play as a team,” Point Guard Jorge Gutiérrez noted.

Since their silver medal in the 2011 Pan American Games, the Mexicans have turned into a team to be aware of in the American continents, a perception that was reinforced by their gold medals in the 2013 World Cup Qualifiers and the 2014 Centrobasket, as well as their qualification to the last FIBA Basketball World Cup that took place in Spain. Their idea is to keep success coming.

“Our objective is to go on to the next phase. Since I arrived at Mexico, our objective is to win, and that makes people support our basketball team. It's not pressure, it's the responsibility we have to keep building this. We've been winning for a few years and we want to keep on doing so,” said Sergio Valdeolmillos, the Spanish Coach that has overseen the Mexican National Team for six years.

After their commitment at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and as current monarchs of the Americas, it appears Mexico was going to achieve the long-awaited Olympic ticket at FIBA Americas 2015. Nonetheless, the team could not take advantage of their home court and lost their chance to move forward to the Rio Olympics after their encounter against Argentina in the Semi-Finals.

Now, in Colombia, the objective remains the same. “We have new members now so that they begin to learn the format and everything else, but we come with the same objective of fighting for the championship and winning,” said Forward Lorenzo Mata. “It's not pressure, it’s motivation, but all the same we have to go out and play and win those games. It's possible with the team we have. I hope so,” he added.

For his part, NBA-experienced Point Guard Jorge Gutiérrez added: “every tournament is important for us. Now there are new faces, which is an important part of continuing the process we began six years ago, in which we won tournaments that we weren't supposed to win. Now we're respected.”

Despite the favoritism and recent success, the Mexicans are aware that they can’t afford to make mistakes during the first round that will start in three days.

“This site will be very leveled. At this type of tournament, the team that has the best focus and prepares the best for the game can defeat you,” said Valdeolmillos.

Mexico will debut on Friday against Puerto Rico, and will face Brazil on Saturday. They will close the first phase on Sunday against Colombia.

FIBA