Mexico's Hernandez digs in as Pioneros advance
CANCUN (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas FIBA) - Mexican hoops has enjoyed many a fine moment the past couple of years.
From capturing their first FIBA Americas Championship in 2013 to competing at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup, there has been a lot more good times than bad when it comes to the national team.
Well, Mexico fans have even more cause to be proud because on Sunday night, the country's World Cup sharpshooter Hector Hernandez helped Pioneros de Quintana Roo fight back from a 17-point deficit to stun Flamengo, 86-81, in the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas FIBA.
Pioneros's win clinched second place in Group B behind Flamengo, and knocked Malvin out of the tournament.
Hoy Grupo B en Cancún:
@pionerosqr 86-81 @Flamengo
Ambos equipos clasifican a la semifinal de la #LDA2015 pic.twitter.com/IKZZbBQI4r
— Faul y Cuenta (@faulycuenta) January 26, 2015Hernandez had 14 first-half points as Pioneros reduced the larget deficit to just seven points at half-time.
He finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
"We had a great effort on defense to get back," Hernandez said. "They have a very good team with a lot of experience. But we gave a lot of effort."
Romel Beck, another to have worn the Mexico national team shirt, came up with some big plays as well and finished with 10 points for the winners.
Meanwhile, one can only wonder how long it will be before Denis Clemente plays for Puerto Rico's national team in a major tournament after the 28-year-old had nine points, six assists and four rebounds in the winning cause for the Mexican club.
Justin Keenan was immense for Pioneros in the second half when they took the lead. With a series of powerful moves inside, he scored the majority of his team-high 22 points.
Flamengo got huge games from their Argentina national team duo of Walter Herrmann (26 points and 8 rebounds) and point guard Nicolas Laprovittola (12 points and 12 assists) but it wasn't enough for the victory.
Malvin's players sat in the stands, meanwhile, and had their hopes dashed as they watched Pioneros beat Flamengo.
El plantel de Malvin a la espera de un triunfo de Flamengo contra Pioneros. #LDA2015 pic.twitter.com/540M8bk746
— Pablo Cormick (@pablocormick) January 26, 2015When the lead ballooned to 17 points, it seemed that it was going to be the Uruguayan club's night for they had won the first game on Sunday against Leones de Quilpue to improve to 2-1.
Malvin had edged Pioneros in a thrilling encounter on Saturday night.
Despite the heady, brave play of veteran Panaman center Ruben Garces and Kennedy Winston, Malvin bowed out of the tournament because of a tie-breaker.
Pioneros and Flamengo (also both 2-1) had better goal differential in their games with Malvin and therefore progressed to the next stage.
Penarol and Sao Jose dos Campos had clinched their places in the next round by claiming to top two spots in Group A.
FIBA
