Lithuania blows past Mexico, punches FIBA WC 2nd round ticket

Lithuania booked its place in the Top 16 round. FIBA

By Mon Anthony L. Valmoria   

PASAY CITY--Lithuania did not waste any time and immediately got the work done versus Mexico with a 96-66 blowout to effectively punch their ticket into the 2nd round of the FIBA World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena here.

With Montenegro's win earlier against Egypt, Lithuania winning this game would mean both teams would be the top two squads in Group D. 

And truly enough, the 'Green Death' did not miss a single beat as they blew past the 12 Guererros.

NBA player and New Orleans Pelicans star center Jonas Valanciunas led the way again for the Lithuanians with a big double-double, recording 15 points (6/7 FGs) and 12 rebounds.

Young point guard and FC Barcelona player Rokus Jokubaitis supplanted Valanciunas' efforts with 15 points and seven assists of his own.

Furthermore, according to FIBA stats, Valanciunas and Jokubaitis entered the Lithuanian history books in some categories.

With his 12 boards today, Valanciunas is now 10th in the FIBA World Cup in total rebounds with 142, and he is only one rebound away from Angola's Joaquim Gomes in the 9th spot (143).

Jokubaitis, on the other hand, had the second-most assists for a Lithuanian player ever in a FIBA World Cup game.

Mantas Kalnietis had two games with 8 assists (versus Senegal and Dominican Republic in 2019).

Lithuania and European neighbor Montenegro will dispute the top overall seed in Group D on Tuesday in the same arena.

Mexico, who were led by Gabriel Giron's 13 points, will try to salvage a win in the group stage versus fellow winless team Egypt.

Follow him on X: @_Morval