Group D still up for grabs ahead of second window

MIAMI (United States) – The second window of the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers will begin with Group D action on the 24th, at the venues in Havana, Cuba and Washington D.C, United States. Mexico is the only undefeated team in the group and they will try to maintain that dominance, while the rest of the squads will try to take a step forward to continue the fight.

This is the most even group so far, so there is no clear favorite yet. But the United States, will try to use their home court advantage at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, will try to recover the lost ground in the first window where it came out with a 1-1 record.

USA will host Puerto Rico and will aim to show why they are in first place in the FIBA ​​World Ranking, presented by Nike. The Americans have never lost at home in a seven-match World Cup Qualifiers record and field a highly experienced team to ensure they keep that unbeaten record on home court.

Seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson is set to be the leader, followed by other veterans like Langston Galloway, Jordan Bell, Tarik Black, David Stockton and Brian Bowen II, who is the only player back from the first window.

Puerto Rico (1-1), who in their 14 Qualifiers games have only lost five, all away from home, will try to reverse that situation in this window during their visits to Washington and Havana. Veterans Gary Browne, Javier Mojica, Jezreel De Jesús and center Ysmael Romero will be representing and hope to grab some wins.

"In training we have seen each other well. We are understanding the philosophy with which we want to play. I think we have a more mature team, aware and ready for the challenge," Puerto Rican coach Nelson Colón said in a statement.

 

To be respected

The other kick-off game will be between Mexico and Cuba, at the Coliseum of the Ciudad Deportiva de La Habana (19:00, local time). Mexico (2-0) took advantage of the first two matches at home and are leaders, now they have to show that what they did in front of their fans was no accident.

Cuba (0-2), despite not getting the victory, left a good impression in the first window and now as hosts they will try to be stronger so as not to lose their qualification aspirations.

Mexico has practically the same squad from the first two matches, led by Paul Stoll, Gabriel Girón, Orlando Méndez, Daniel Amigo and Fabián Jaimes, while Cuba will once again have center Jasiel Rivero, Yoanki Mensia and Karl Guzman.

“Cuba played very well in Chihuahua, fought against Puerto Rico and the United States and it is important to get the victory in Havana. With the United States we will have to rematch. It will be a very important game,” said Mexico’s coach Omar Quintero.

 

Cuba is under pressure, they have not won in six games in previous Americas Qualifiers and they now need to break that stat. In the previous two games between the two, the Mexicans have not conceded more than 66 points.

The development of Group D will continue on Sunday, February 27, with Mexico visiting the United States (1:00 p.m. local time) and Puerto Rico visiting Cuba (6:00 p.m.).

FIBA