Mexico's Cruz gets a taste of basketball in Argentina

MEXICO CITY (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Francisco 'Pako' Cruz has been moving from strength to strength the past couple of years, his confidence bolstered by having an important role with Mexico's national team.

A native of the Nogales, Sonora, a city on the Mexico-United States border, Cruz is a 2.02m shooting guard and he is about to compete in the Argentina domestic league playoffs for the first time with Ciclista Olimpico de La Banda, a club he joined last month from Halcones Rojos.

The 25-year-old is excited about the opportunity to play in Argentina, and especially the postseason.

"This stage in Argentina, I'm living it like a moment of my life that allows me to add a lot of experience," Cruz said to FIBAAmericas.com.

The Argentina League is very strong and is played very intelligently, both defensively and offensively. - Cruz

If Cruz is thrilled to be in Argentina, Olimpico are thrilled to have him.

He has been a positive addition, averaging 8.7 points per game while shooting 33 percent from three point range.

"I am very happy to be here and to have had this opportunity, and I think it will help me to improve my game," he said.

"I will take lots of knowledge that will help me in my career."

Cruz played American college basketball for the Wyoming Cowboys and then returned to Mexico to launch his pro career in the LNBP with Halcones Rojos in the 2012-13 campaign.

He suited up for Mexico at the 2013 COCABA Championship in El Salvador and contributed to a title-winning run, yet he did not feature with the national team at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, where they captured the crown for the first time.

Coach Sergio Valdeolmillos did include Cruz in Mexico's 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup squad, however, and he made the most of his chance, finishing as the team's second leading scorer at 12.7 points per game while helping the Mexicans reach the Round of 16.

His first appearance in Group D in Gran Canaria proved to be his best.

Wearing the No. 9 jersey, Cruz exploded for 21 points against one of the best teams in international basketball, Lithuania.

Despite leading in the third quarter, Mexico fell to an 87-74 defeat but went on to beat Angola and Korea and advanced to the Round of 16.

Cruz grew from the experience in Spain and he's doing the same now that he's in Argentina.

"In general, one of the characteristics of this league is that it's played very smart, very tactical, that all teams respect the system and the indications given by the coach every time," Cruz said.

"Either on defense or on offense, there is always a plan which must be followed with discipline and order."

The first round test for Cruz and Olimpico will be San Martin de Corrientes, who finished in third place in the North standings.

"It is a big, strong team, with players who play very physical, a team that Olimpico split the regular season match-ups with," Cruz said.

"It will be a tough opponent, but we also have a good chance to advance if we improve our defense in these playoffs."

Cruz does not know how far he will go in the playoffs, but what he is certain of is that come this summer, he wants to be with Mexico's national team.

The country, which is going to be coached again by Valdeolmillos, will attempt to defend its title.

The two sides that advance to the Final will clinch spots in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

I am sure that this summer will be great for our [Mexico] team - Cruz

"We will play at home in the FIBA Americas Championship, a very important tournament," Cruz said.

"We will be proud to represent our country, at home, in front of our people."

"I think there is no pressure.

"We always play to win and we will do what we can to go to the Olympics, which is a dream for every athlete.

"For over 40 years, Mexico has not been successful in that department and we will try to end that losing streak."

Go to fibaamericas.com/mex2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA