FIBA Basketball

    Mexico shaping up to be a contender at Turin OQT

    MEXICO CITY (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Mexico came up just short of a successful title defense at the 2016 Centrobasket after slipping to a 84-83 defeat to Puerto Rico​ on Saturday but

    MEXICO CITY (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Mexico came up just short of a successful title defense at the 2016 Centrobasket after slipping to an 84-83 defeat to Puerto Rico on Saturday but there were still positives to be drawn for a team that is hoping to play at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

    The players, in a race against time to get ready for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin, an event that tips off on 4 July, went into battle without leading player Gustavo Ayon yet nearly won the championship. They failed to clear the last hurdle against Puerto Rico when Jorge Gutierrez missed a 3-pointer in the waning seconds.

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    Ayon would have provided some muscle and skill in the low post but his club commitments with Real Madrid prevented him from playing. Ayon didn't finish competing in the Spanish Liga Endesa Finals with Real Madrid until Wednesday, 22 June, by which time the Centrobasket was already a few days old.

    Even without Ayon, the event was a good for Mexico.

    "The tournament was good for us to get some rhythm and that leaves us happy," said Mexico coach Sergio Valdeolmillos. "We have drawn many positive conclusions, showing the capacity to fight, a point we have been working on."

    Mexico still have some time to practice and play friendly games, but not much. Valdeolmillos and his players have already travelled to Europe to continue their preparations. On Tuesday in Spain, they are supposed to face an Angola team that is preparing for the OQT in Serbia.

    One advantage that Mexico have this year is that one of their "12 Guerreros", Lorenzo Mata, is back. The 2.03m power forward was a key man in the 2013 title-winning side but wasn't able to play at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup or the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship due to injury. Mata had 8 points and 9 rebounds in Saturday's Final against Puerto Rico before fouling out.

    Others are playing very well. Hector Hernandez, who served as captain, and guard Paul Stoll were outstanding against the Boricuas. The former had 20 points and 10 boards and the latter scored 14 while dishing out 8 assists.

    Valdeolmillos and his players must make the most of the time they have remaining before the OQT because Mexico will need to be at their best to win an event that also has Greece, Iran, Italy, Croatia and Tunisia.

    "We need more playing time, training and to get the team to jell," Valdeolmillos said. "We need at least one more week to get into better shape."

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