MEX - Mata returns to Halcones

XALAPA (FIBA Americas League/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Lorenzo Mata brought a lot of toughness to Mexico's national side this year and helped the country capture its first FIBA Americas Championship title.

Having been slowed by a knee injury since, Mata is finally set to play again.

The 2.03m power forward has returned to Halcones Xalapa, his club of the previous five campaigns, to bolster a squad that has fellow Mexico internationals Jovan Harris, Orlando Mendez, Jose Estrada and Noe Alonzo.

The coach of Xalapa is Spaniard Sergio Valdeomillos, the boss of Mexico's national side.

"I am very happy to be back wearing the shirt of the Halcones of Xalapa, and very happy to be with my teammates," Mata said in a statement issued by the club.

"Hopefully this will be a very good season and hopefully at the end we will have the opportunity to play for a championship."

Halcones Xalapa will launch their FIBA Americas League campaign 7 February, hosting Group C.

In what appears to be the competition's 'group of death', the Mexican team will square off against Liga Sudamericana winners Uniceub BRB of Brazil, Argentinians Regatas Corrientes and Venezuelans Marinos de Oriente.

Regatas won the 2010-11 FIBA Americas League, prevailing in the Final Four that was staged in Xalapa.

Mata, who played American college basketball for UCLA and helped the Bruins reached the NCAA Final Four in both 2006 and 2007, was Mexico's second-leading rebounder at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship at 6.9 boards per game.

The 27-year-old also averaged 5.8 points and 1.1 blocks (One of his swats is being featured in the Best Blocks of #RoadToSpain2014 on the FIBA Facebook page).

Mata's presence will be crucial for Mexico next year when they compete at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

They last appeared at a FIBA World Championship in 1974, when the tournament was held in Puerto Rico.

FIBA