Historic performance by Mexico, as the first two quarter finals are set in FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - For only the second time in history Mexico will play in the KO round of the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, after beating Thailand at the buzzer in the decisive game of Pool A, in the girls’competition. USA and Germany boys, plus Japan and Ukraine girls finished the pool phase undefeated.

Game of the day: Mexico vs. Thailand (girls)

With the qualification in the quarter finals on the table, both teams went hard on each other and for almost eight minutes was nobody’s game. Kleetawadee Oudnun put Thailand up by three, 13-10, hitting a pair of free throws, with 90 seconds to go. Mexico, already in the penalty, went mission impossible against their opponents and managed to tie the game twice in the final minute.

Two improbable turnovers by Thailand, one with less than 4 seconds to go set the stage for the final shot. Ana Karen Vela Prieto took a turnaround jump shot at the buzzer, nothing but net, and sent Mexico into the KO Round for only the second time in the history of FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup.

Cala Ferriol Avalis carried Mexico throughout the game, with nine points in total, but all four players contributed heavily inthe crunch time.

The teams

Men

The Olympic nightmare is on repeat for USA Basketball as they lost Amir Jenkins Jr. with a wrist injury in their first game in Debrecen and are competing with only three players. However, they are still on track to regain the title, finishing 4-0 in Pool Awith convincing wins against Brazil 21-14 and Morocco 21-8, in Day 3.

Germany is the other undefeated team, 3-0, and they cruised past Qatar in the last pool game, 21-6. They will clash with Spain in the QF, while USA will meet the home crowd favorites, Hungary.

Women

Japan and China were both qualified for the KO Round, before their classic matchup in the last pool game. Japan didn’t lose a beat, with Kanon Suzuki hitting shot after shot for nine points in total, finals score 21-13.

Ukraine continued their domination in Pool A and crushed Morocco, 22-7 on their way to the Quarter Finals. Yelyzaveta Radlovska hit three times from beyond the arc and led her team to an easy win with seven points.

Ukraine will face China while Japan will duel with Mexico for a place in the semifinals.

The players

Spanish Alexandre Huguet Carrasco is leading all scorers with35 points, while Nikolas Khamenia with 33 and Bo Ogden with 28 are on the chase in the MVP Race. Ogden continued to pour two pointers like a chef adds seasoning and has 12 in total so far.

In the ladies’ section, Jiaxin Wang from China is leading the way with 24 points, 18 of them coming from beyond the arc. She’s closely followed by Kanon Suzuki and Taisiia Vypovskawith 22 points each.

Day 4

Last day before the KO Round will offer us some crucial action in Pool D, boys, where Slovenia have high hopes to advance. The situation is even crazier in Pool B, girls, where Germany, France, Spain and Hungary are all having their chances to book the two tickets to the Quarte Finals.