Puerto Rico vs. Mexico Preview: Álvarez & Waters Team Up for a Home-Court Advantage

On July 7, Puerto Rico will face Mexico in an Olympic qualifying match, with both teams vying for a spot in the regional final.

Puerto Rico has secured two consecutive victories in the group stage, defeating Bahrain 99-65 and Italy 80-69, demonstrating exceptional strength. Against Italy, Álvarez scored an impressive 29 points, while Waters contributed 10 points and 12 assists. With a strong backcourt and individual talent, this Puerto Rican squad resembles a smaller version of the US men’s basketball team.

Mexico has a 1-1 record, losing to Lithuania 84-96 and defeating Côte d’Ivoire 92-81. After their loss to Lithuania, Mexico showed resilience against Côte d’Ivoire, with five players scoring in double digits. Stoll notched 23 points and 11 assists, Ibarra had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and James tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds. Mexico advanced to the regional semifinals as a result.

In this contest between Puerto Rico and Mexico, familiarity exists due to both teams being from the Americas. In terms of world rankings, Puerto Rico is placed 16th, while Mexico sits at 25th, giving Puerto Rico a slight edge. Furthermore, the game is being held in Puerto Rico, providing a significant home-court advantage. With NBA player Álvarez and the highly skilled Waters on the roster, Puerto Rico has potent weapons. Overall, Puerto Rico is favored to win this match.

In the Puerto Rico region, the hosts’ main opponents are Italy and Lithuania. However, these two teams will clash in the semifinals, presenting an opportunity for Puerto Rico if they can first overcome Mexico.