Puerto Rico Secures FIBA Americas Spot, Ending Cuba’s World Cup hopes
Puerto Rico clinched its second consecutive victory in the FIBA Americas qualifier for the 2023 World Cup, defeating Cuba once again. This triumph solidifies Puerto Rico’s position at the top of Group D, guaranteeing their advancement to the next phase.Regrettably,the loss eliminates cuba from contention.
Facing the challenge without star player Ysmael Romero, who was unable to travel to Havana due to immigration issues, Puerto Rican coach Nelson Ponce adapted his strategy. Implementing a dynamic rotation, Ponce’s tactics proved successful in the second half, ultimately leading to victory.
“It was an incredibly challenging and demanding game,” Ponce remarked to Prensa Latina after the match. “The Cuban team demonstrated remarkable resilience, especially in front of their home crowd. Though, we were able to capitalize on their weaknesses and maintain our lead in the closing stages.”
Jezreel de Jesús and Christopher Ortiz spearheaded Puerto Rico’s offensive efforts, contributing 21 and 19 points respectively. crucially, the team’s collective defensive performance proved decisive, forcing 21 turnovers from the Cuban offense and securing 10 rebounds.
jasiel Rivero, the power forward for Spanish club Valencia Basket, once again led the Cuban team with 13 points. Though, his performance fell short of expectations, with six missed free throws out of eight attempts proving particularly costly.
“We witnessed a more persistent and spirited Cuban team today,” Rivero acknowledged in a press conference. “They presented a different challenge compared to the previous encounter. However, our lack of cohesion hindered our ability to execute effectively in the crucial final moments, as evidenced by today’s outcome.”
In the other Group D matchup, the United States defeated Mexico 89-67 in Washington. Both teams now share a 3-1 record, with the US currently leading the group.
The third qualifying window is scheduled for July 1-4, determining the 12 American teams that will continue their pursuit of the seven World Cup berths allocated to the region. The 2023 FIBA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Pride of Puerto Rico: An Exclusive Interview with Coach Nelson Ponce
Welcome back, basketball fans, to another edition of Courtside Chats. Today, we have a true basketball legend joining us – Coach Nelson Ponce, the mastermind behind Puerto Rico’s remarkable back-to-back FIBA Americas qualifier victories, securing their spot in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Welcome, Coach Ponce!
Coach Ponce: Thank you for having me. Its an honor to be here.
moderator: Coach, congratulations on another amazing win against Cuba. can you elaborate on adapting your strategy without Ysmael Romero, your star player?
Coach Ponce: It was definitely a challenge, losing Ysmael due to unforeseen immigration issues. He’s a cornerstone of our offence, but I have immense faith in the talent and depth of this team.We implemented a more dynamic rotation, leveraging the strengths of different players throughout the game, and it paid off.
Moderator: Jezreel de Jesús and Christopher Ortiz stepped up significantly on the offensive end, scoring 21 and 19 points respectively. How instrumental was their performance in securing the victory?
coach Ponce: Absolutely crucial. Both Jezreel and Christopher rose to the occasion, demonstrating the incredible depth we have on this roster. Their composure under pressure and ability to execute our game plan were key factors in the win.
Moderator: The Cuban team fought hard, and Jasiel Rivero put up a valiant effort. What were your thoughts on their performance despite ultimately falling short?
Coach ponce: Cuba fought with heart and determination,especially in front of their passionate home crowd. They presented a different challenge compared to our previous encounter. jasiel Rivero is a formidable player and definitely caused us some headaches. However, I’m proud of our defense for forcing those crucial turnovers and limiting their scoring opportunities.
Moderator: Now, looking ahead to the third qualifying window in July, Puerto Rico is in a strong position, topping Group D. How will you approach the remaining games, knowing you’ve already secured your spot?
Coach Ponce: We don’t plan to take our foot off the gas. Every game is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve as a team. We’ll continue to work hard,refine our game plan,and aim for victory in every match. We want to represent Puerto Rico with pride on the world stage.
Moderator: Well said, Coach. This is a fantastic achievement for Puerto Rico and its basketball fans. Thank you for your time and insights. We wish you and the team continued success as you prepare for the World Cup.
Coach Ponce: Thank you for having me.
Now, fans, it’s your turn! What are your thoughts on Puerto Rico’s dominant performance? Do you think they have what it takes to make a deep run in the FIBA World Cup? Join the conversation and share your opinions in the comments below!
