TURIN (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Pako Cruz has underlined his status as one of Mexico's leading players at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin. He poured in 12 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter of the Tri's victory over Iran and then carried the team offensively in the first half against Greece.

Greece coach Fotis Katsikaris paid Cruz the ultimate compliment by assigning Giannis Antetokounmpo to him on defense. The NBA star shut him down but Cruz remains the Mexicans' biggest weapon heading into Friday's Semi-Final with Italy.

Cruz spoke to FIBA.com ahead of that clash.

FIBA.com: Looking ahead to playing Italy this evening, what are thoughts?
Cruz: It's going to be a hard game, really tough, home-court advantage is really big. Italy has a really good team. We have to be just ready to play with a lot of energy.

FIBA.com: Looking at the first two games that you played, are you happy with the way you played individually but as as a team?
Cruz: I think we haven't played a full 40 minutes well. We played a couple of quarters well and then we started taking bad shots and making bad decisions. If we want to compete against Italy, then we really have to play 40 minutes.

Pako Cruz (MEX) thrived until Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE) guarded him

FIBA.com: The Italian team is one thing and then there is the atmosphere generated by 11,000 Italians. How is that going to be for you?
Cruz: We get excited when that happens. Of course we would like to be at home like this. We're just excited. Like I said, if we come out with energy, we're going to have a good chance.

FIBA.com: Talk about what it would mean for Mexico to make it to the Final here and to compete for a spot in the Olympics?
Cruz: It would mean a lot. I can't remember the last time when Mexico went to an Olympics [1976] so it means a lot for us, for our families, for Mexico. We've got to go step by step. Tonight it's Italy. We've got to worry about Italy and then worry about tomorrow.

FIBA