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The Cuban men's basketball team secured its place in the Americas Qualifying Tournament for the FIBA World Cup 2027, finishing as the runner-up in Group B at the qualifying tournament held in the Chilean city of Valdivia.
Cubans started strong, defeating El Salvador (83-63) and Ecuador (79-69) in a game that required a comeback, according to the site JIT.
In those matches, Pedro Bombino shone, delivering a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in his debut, while Jasiel Rivero scored 29 points, recorded 6 rebounds, and provided 4 assists against the Ecuadorians, earning the title of Most Valuable Player of the game.
Defeat without consequences against Chile
In the final round, already with qualification secured, the team lost to the host Chile by 74-78, in a balanced match where the Caribbean team let slip an early lead of 21-12 in the first quarter.
Nonetheless, the result did not affect either team's advance to the qualifying round. The island was placed in a group that includes Uruguay, Argentina, and Panama, which is considered less challenging than the other group, where Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil will be.
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Against Chile, Pedro Bombino once again stood out with a double-double of 14 points and 12 assists, while Jasiel Rivero contributed 25 points and 7 rebounds. Marcos Chacón added 15 points and fell just one rebound short of a double-digit total.
The coach Osmel Planas gave minutes to bench players, although the main responsibility fell on the starters, except for Reynaldo García, who was absent due to physical discomfort.
With this performance, Cuba moves forward with renewed aspirations for the qualifiers, where it will aim to stay on the path to the FIBA World Cup 2027.
Frequently asked questions about Cuba's progress in basketball and other sports
How did Cuba manage to qualify for the Americas Qualifying Tournament for the FIBA World Cup 2027?
Cuba secured its place in the Americas Qualifying Tournament by finishing as the runner-up in Group B of the qualifying tournament held in Valdivia, Chile. The team demonstrated an outstanding performance, with victories over El Salvador and Ecuador, which ensured their qualification before their final match against Chile.
Who were the standout players of the Cuban basketball team in the tournament?
Among the standout players are Pedro Bombino, who achieved a double-double in two games, and Jasiel Rivero, who was the most valuable player in the match against Ecuador with 29 points. Additionally, Marcos Chacón and other players also made significant contributions in the tournament.
What are the upcoming challenges for the Cuban basketball team following their qualification?
Cuba will face Uruguay, Argentina, and Panama in the qualifying tournament for the FIBA World Cup 2027. This group is considered less challenging than the other sector, which could improve Cuba's chances of advancing in the competition.
What problems did the Cuban basketball team face in the FIBA AmeriCup 2025?
The Cuban team faced administrative and visa issues, which prevented them from playing their last match in the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 in Puerto Rico. Additionally, their sports elimination was due to the defeat against Bahamas, leaving the team with no chance to advance.
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