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20 November, 2017
26 February, 2019
15 Esteban Batista (URU)
18/09/2018
Game Report
to read

Uruguay defeated Mexico and now dream about China

MONTEVIDEO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — In a game with an uncertain outcome, Uruguay defeated Mexico and continue with their dream intact towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup China 2019.

In an encounter that was almost totally dominated by the Aztecs — who could at one point establish up to a 15-point difference — the locals were the ones who closed better, winning 63-60.

Now Uruguay have a 5-triumph 3-defeat registry, breaking the negative streak of two consecutive losses. As for Mexico, everything is more complicated now in their aspirations of reaching the world stage, since they have only won 3 of their 8 commitments.

The two key figures for the winning side were Esteban Batista, with 18 points and 8 rebounds; followed by Luciano Parodi, who added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The locals won despite having a defective record in three-pointers (5/27), although the difference with regards to the free throws was considerable. The Charrúas threw 23 and achieved 16, and the Aztecs only threw two free throws during the whole game.

For Mexico, the best player was Gustavo Ayón, who scored 21 points and did 8 rebounds.

When reading the final statistics and seeing that it says that Mexico controlled the game, the numbers are eloquent. The visiting team was up for 34.16 minutes, and the locals just went to the lead with only 2.20 left for the end.

Already in the first quarter, the team led by Déniz took the reigns of the game. Ayón from the low post and Cruz from the perimeter were key to open the first segment. Martínez’s inclusion gave Mexico the chance to take the lead, 19-9. For the locals, only Batista responded, and the rest froze on the attack.

A pair of three-pointers in the beginning of the second quarter allowed Mexico to lead by 15 points (27-12), and at that instant, Signorelli called upon the bench. Rodríguez's entry to the perimeter, alongside Wachsmann and Passos, gave life to a team that reacted from the defense. But it was a three-pointer by Cruz just before the quarter was over what gave life to the Aztecs, who went up 35-29.

At the beginning of the second half, Batista committed his fourth personal foul and once again, the visiting side widened the gap. They managed to have 13 points in their favor (45-32) but with Parodi as their defensive weapon, everything changed. Passos became strong in the attack and a fast-break by Fitipaldo placed the Charrúas at a 5-point difference (42-47) to enter as equals in the dispute for the last quarter.

Parodi still was key, but Ayón and Cruz made important points to avoid being broken by the other side. After a pair of good defensive moods, it was Wachsmann who, with a two-pointer, allowed Uruguay to take the lead, 57-56. Those last two minutes were electrifying and Batista’s figure shone. The forward was unstoppable in the paint and because of that, Uruguay ended celebrating a key point and now hopefully await the November 28 game against Puerto Rico.

Juan Pablo Tamborini (FIBA)