MONTERREY (FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) - The Uruguayan and Mexican national teams will meet this Friday in a fundamental game for the future of both programs. But there is a difference: for the South American country, the results will have short-term implications; while for the North Americans these will be more on the long-run.

The encounter will take place at Nuevo León Gymnasium and features and Uruguayan team amid a struggle to clasp their first FIBA World Cup in three decades. For their part, Mexico, have no options left to go to China for the world event, but will start to rebuild after falling short of repeating their participation in the World Cup, as they did in Spain 2014.

From Uruguay’s point of view, there are several possibilities available toward their first World Cup qualification since 1986. There is quite the probability that they will define their future in San Juan, next Monday, in a “Final” against Puerto Rico, who are their direct rivals for the third and last available ticket to the FIBA World Cup granted to Group E of the Americas Qualifiers.

How every, Argentine coach Rubén Magnano, who leads the Celestes, is aware that his date against Mexico is equally important and that a triumph will bring him even closer to the world stage.

“We have to give importance to the game against Mexico because, depending on other results, it could give us the qualification,” said Magnano, according to website futbol.com.uy.

Uruguay could get to the World Cup with a triumph against Mexico and a combination of two defeats by the Dominican Republic (against Venezuela and Brazil), no matter the result of the game against Puerto Rico. But this stage is not as present in the squad’s minds. Their objective is to win both encounters and return to basketball’s greatest level.

Magnano is presenting a very similar team to the one with which he debuted with Uruguay in the fifth window. The 2004 Athens Olympic medalist repeats nine players and adds muscle to the paint with the inclusion of Hatila Passos, to aid his referent, Esteban Batista. Well known players such as Mathias Calfani, Luciano Parodi and Bruno Fitipaldo are also on the roster that has its sights set on China.

“Mexico are interesting because we're going with the results achieved by the Dominican Republic, but we could go in from another way too. Also, to prepare against Puerto Rico. We can't underestimate them,” warned center Nicolás Borsellino to news outlet Ovación.

As for Mexico, they will present a group of players that exclusively play for their National League of Professional Basketball (LNBP). Gabriel Girón, the only player that has attended all qualifying games, will lead a group that could have six new players and several that have only been in two or three qualifying games.

The Mexican disqualification has opened the door for coach Iván Déniz to test new talent for the next cycle. This was an inevitable process that was long due.

“I think that it's the moment to walk on firm land and with clear ideas. There was a political change and the people that are going to direct sports should say what support we're going to have so that we can state the project that we have. We want a young generation, with new faces that want to represent our country. We want a three to four-year program to see results like those of the exiting golden generation,” said Déniz to Marca Claro.

Mexico illuminated moments in the Qualifiers with a victory at home against the United States, but they fell in close battles at home against Argentina, and on the road against Puerto Rico and Uruguay — which finally determined their elimination off China 2019.

Their defeat in Montevideo was quite hurtful. Mexico were in the lead for 34 minutes and even achieved a 15-point advantage, which they saw disappear in the second half.

After this encounter, Uruguay will travel to the Caribbean for their anticipated and crucial encounter against Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Mexico will welcome Panama to end their run with their heads held high and looking positively toward the future.

FIBA