:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/OHRJHLRSVU65Y7QS6542KCPHP4.jpg "Argentina will miss the Basketball World Cup, Mexico qualify 1")
CARACAS (AP) — From world runner-up in 2019 to being left out of the playoffs four years later.
Such was Argentina’s fate in the Americas qualifier after losing at home to the Dominican Republic 79-75 on Sunday, missing out on a Basketball World Cup for the first time since 1982.
Mexico, on the other hand, eliminated Uruguay 82-69 at home to secure their presence at a World Cup after a nine-year absence.
The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Venezuela also secured tickets on the final day of qualifying, joining Canada (11-1) and the United States (9-3) – who had previously qualified .
These seven teams will make up the American contingent at the World Cup which will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia between August 25 and September 10.
Puerto Rico suffered to beat Colombia 87-80, Brazil beat the United States 83-75 and Venezuela advanced despite losing 74-57 to Canada.
Argentina’s elimination comes as a major surprise as it breaks a streak of nine consecutive World Cup appearances.
Fourth in the FIBA rankings, Argentina will not travel to Asia and must play a qualifying tournament to access basketball for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Even the last minute arrival of Gabriel Deck and Nicolás Laprovittola, the Argentine stars who play for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively in the Spanish league, did not prevent the sinking of the team led by Pablo Prigioni in Mar del Plata.
Deck scored 27 points, Laprovittola added 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Facundo Campazzo contributed 10 points and 5 assists.
Argentina took the lead by 17 points but crumbled in the final quarter against a surge from the Dominicans, who topped the set 25-11. Striker Jean Montero was the visitors’ figurehead with 22 points. Gerardo Suero added 13 points off the bench and Andrés Feliz added 11.
The Dominicans managed to qualify for their fourth World Cup under Argentinian Néstor García, who was sacked by the Albicelestes earlier in the qualifiers.
In Montevideo, Mexico came from behind in the second quarter and cruised to a comfortable victory. Fabián Jaimes stood out for the visitors with a double-double, with just 10 points and 10 rebounds. Pako Cruz and Gabriel Girón each contributed 17 points.
Puerto Rico qualified for their 15th World Cup after picking up a tough win visiting Medellín to finish second in Group F.
Four Puerto Ricans signed in double figures, led by Jordan Howard with 18 points. Gian Clavell (14), Tremont Waters (12) and Christopher Ortiz (11) were the others. Braian Angola led Colombia with 20 points and Andrés Ibargüen added 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Venezuela ended their campaign at home against Canada, the best team in Group E and who had just lost to Canada. The Dominican victory conspired in favor of the Venezuelan cause, qualifying for its fifth World Cup and second in a row.
The Venezuelans took third place in Group E with an 8-4 scoreline, like Argentina, but a better points difference for and against relegated the Albiceleste to fourth place.
Brazil, who also finished the competition with an 8-4 record, overtook Argentina for fourth place after a fateful combination of results in Group F.
Néstor Colmenares (13 points and 10 rebounds) and Michael Carrera (10 points and rebounds) each finished with a double-double for Venezuela. Phil Scrubb and Kalif Young led the Canadian offense with 14 points each.
The Bahamas (3-9) and Panama (3-9), for group E, and Uruguay (5-7) and Colombia (3-9), for group F, were mathematically eliminated on Thursday.
At the last 2019 World Cup in China, Argentina were second after losing 95-75 in the final against Spain, who went on to claim their second title in history.
