RIGA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) – Mexicans fans have turned up in big numbers to see their national team play in Americas Qualifiers.

Mexico’s two games as host during the first two windows of the Qualifiers were sold-out. In Guanajuato, while hosting Cuba, 4,500 packed the Domo de la Feria as the team picked-up the win. Meanwhile in Monterrey, the 4,800 fans filling the Estadio Nuevo Leon Unido saw Puerto Rico come-up with an impressive win.

“For the games to be sold out says a lot about what basketball means to the country of Mexico. We have tremendous support from our fans and we love the energy they bring every time we play in Mexico,” said sharpshooter Alex Perez.

“We weren’t on the same page defensively or offensively and playing against a good team like Puerto Rico you need to be at your best because they are very talented” said Perez, who had a 14-point performance in the game.

Mexico left behind the disappointing loss against Puerto Rico and bounced back with a 75-52 win over Cuba in La Habana, thanks to an impressive performance from Alex Perez, who led the scoring with 23 points.

“We were able to look at the bigger picture and move on from the Puerto Rico loss with high heads, using that loss to motivate us to play better against Cuba. Our defense and offense was much better and we played with more confidence and aggressiveness,” said the Perez, who also plays for the VEF Riga of the Latvian Professional League.

In the June/July window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers, the Mexicans will have two tough matches against teams that already have a win over them during the Qualifiers. Mexico will look for every advantage on June 28 as the team faces the USA on Mexican soil, and another sold-out will create a perfect atmosphere for the game.

“Anytime you get a chance to play against USA is always a fun game, and to have it in Mexico makes it even better. I’m looking forward to competing at a high level and taking advantage of the opportunity,” said the offensive specialist about the game against the team coached by Jeff Van Gundy.

Mexico will then travel to Puerto Rico for a match-up against a well-known rival. 

“We have to be on the same page defensively first. We have to be aggressive, physical and try to make them uncomfortable. If we can keep it close throughout the game anything can happen late. We are all looking forward to that game in Puerto Rico. It’s going to be a great game with a lot of energy from both teams. It’s going to be a war,” concluded Perez.

Mexico currently sits in the third position of Group C with a 2-2 record.

FIBA