Puerto Vallarta native Mayra Gil just gave basketball fans across the country a reason to cheer. Playing in front of a home-state crowd at the Arena Astros in Zapopan, Jalisco, the guard played a pivotal role in leading the Mexican Women’s National Team all the way to the final of the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
While Mexico ultimate fell 83-53 to a tough Canadian squad in the championship game, the final score hardly dims the team’s impressive run or Gil’s standout performance on the court. During the final matchup, Gil logged over 27 minutes of action, putting up 10 points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Her scoring output made her Mexico’s third-highest scorer of the night, trailing only teammates Anisa Jeffries, who dropped 13 points, and Mariana Valenzuela, who added 12.
Throughout the entire tournament, the 5’9″ guard proved to be a reliable motor for the team’s offense, saving her strongest performances for the high-stakes games. She opened the tournament with a solid seven-point, eight-rebound effort against the Philippines before catching fire against Senegal, where she hit four three-pointers on her way to a 12-point night. Her true breakout moment came during a high-tension semifinal match against Brazil, where she erupted for a team-high 15 points to help propel Mexico into the final.
Gil wrapped up the competition with averages of 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, confirming her status as one of the most dependable talents in the national program.
Even though the loss to Canada paused Mexico’s direct route to the next stage, the team’s ultimate goal remains very much within reach. The squad will get another shot at securing a spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games through the 2027 FIBA AmeriCup, which will hand out four berths to the next qualifying round.
For Gil, the tournament in Zapopan marks another milestone in an already trajectory-defining career. As she continues to elevate her game on the international stage, she leaves no doubt that Puerto Vallarta has a world-class athlete representing Mexico on the road to the Olympics.
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