It was another giant step on a giant-killing run that has made the basketball world take notice for coach Sergio Valdeolmillos. 

"We won the gold at the pre-World Cup (2013 FIBA Americas Championship) and at the Centrobasket, so we accomplished those goals, and today we accomplished another one," he said.

"I feel really happy for the qualification for the next round, but the most important part is what my players and staff have been talking about," he said.

"What really matters is how will this influence Mexican basketball? Will it be positive for Mexico, and will this make a change to the problems Mexican basketball is facing right now?"

Forward Marco Ramos had little doubt this result would have a big impact back home.
"Today was a very important day for the history of Mexican basketball," he said. 
"We are very proud, we're a very proud country, a very proud team, we have a great coach and great coaching staff, and today we made history."

"We're excited man, the bottom line is we're just excited," said Ramos. 
"A lot of us dreamt about this a long time ago and probably had no idea this could happen to a fortunate group of guys.
"We got the opportunity in Venezuela (last year) and took advantage of it, now that we're here we're advancing to the next round so we're going to make the most of it."

Of course, with the USA next on the menu their chances of victory seem slim, but Ramos and Co will simply put their best effort out on the floor and see where the cards fall, as they have for the past two years of beating more fancied opponents.
"We're all very happy to go into the next round, we're going to face a very tough team," he said. 

"Everybody's counting us out but we're a bunch of warriors, we're ready to face Team USA." 

(Source: 2014 FIBA Official Website)