CIUDAD OBREGÓN (México) - Jamaica and Mexico secured their spots in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers on Saturday, after each earned their second win in Group A of the Pre-Qualifiers taking place at ITSON Arena in Ciudad Obregón, Mexico. Both teams will enter the final day with a 2-0 record and will face each other on Sunday to determine the group leader. The winner will advance to Group A of the Americas Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, while the runner-up will be placed in Group B. Highlights from Day 2:
Costa Rica 76 - 80 Jamaica
Jamaica avoided an upset against Costa Rica on Mexican soil by going into overtime. Miami Heat guard Norman Powell scored five of his team’s nine points in the extra period, leading them to their second win. Powell shined with 34 points, including 5 three-pointers and 11 free throws. He recorded 3 steals, 2 assists, and was the only Jamaican player to score double figures. Romaro Gill followed with eight points while pulling down 18 rebounds and blocking 3 shots.
The game went to overtime after ending regulation tied at 71. With 1:20 left to play, Powell tied the score with a layup, and from that moment on, neither team could get the ball through the hoop. Jamaica’s Romaine Thomas was fouled on a three-point attempt with eight seconds remaining, but missed all three free throws. For the second night in a row, Costa Rica stayed competitive until the end against one of the group favorites, but couldn’t claim the win. Víctor Arias recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Manrique Alvarado added 16 points, meanwhile, Isaac Conejo had 13 along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
Mexico 113 - 78 Barbados
The hosts put their offense on full display, scoring the highest point total by any team in Group A of these Pre-Qualifiers. Four players scored at least 17 points, led by Yahir Bonilla with 22, followed by Gabriel Girón (19), Karim Rodríguez (18) and Pako Cruz (17).
Mexico’s perimeter shooting shined with a 53 percent efficiency rate after hitting 16 of 30 shots from beyond the arc. Rodríguez finished with four three-pointers, while Cruz and Girón added three each. For Barbados (0-2), Carl Thorpe contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Deroni Hurley added 15 points (including 3 three-pointers). Next games: Sunday, August 10 (Day 3) BAR vs. CRC – 3:00 p.m. (local time) JAM vs. MEX – 7:00 p.m.
FIBA