For the 12 warriors of the National women’s basketball team, the expedition that would take them to Sydney, Australia, for the 2022 FIBA World Cup begins today Friday night, when the first phase of the AmeriCup 2021 begins at the emblematic Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.
The Puerto Rican team composed of Tyra Meléndez, Jeniffer O’Neill, Pamela Rosado, Allison Gibson, Jada Stinson, Dayshalee Salamán, Jazmon Gwathmey, Isaly Quiñones, Sabrina Lozada, India Pagán, Jacqueline Benítez and Michelle González will choose one of the four available spaces for America who will be present at the World Cup event.
However, the task in your hands will not be easy. Puerto Rico shares the group with the powers Argentina and the United States, as well as the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
The other group is made up of the Virgin Islands, Canada, Brazil, El Salvador and Colombia.
The best four of each will advance to the single elimination rounds. The semifinalists will strike out their respective tickets to next year’s World Cup.
In fact, the ‘red wine’ selection, led by Argentine Eduardo Pinto, will be the Puerto Rican’s first rival. The match is scheduled to start at 9:10 p.m.
“Starting winning is important, especially since we have four consecutive games. The game against Venezuela is particularly important because there is always nervousness, and the team wants to look good, ”said Puerto Rican coach Jerry Batista.
The FIBA América portal points out that Venezuela featured seven players on the list who also participated in the 2017 edition of AmeriCup.
“The last time we played Venezuela was six years ago and they beat us. It is important for us to watch the game very cautiously ”, warned Batista.
After Venezuela, the Puerto Rican women’s team will have commitments against Argentina and the United States before closing the “all against all” phase against the Dominican Republic.
In the last edition of the women’s AmeriCup, Puerto Rico finished in fourth position.
“Our emphasis this time is to win a medal and we have the talent to do it,” concluded Batista.
Pamela Rosado, captain of the team, agreed with the leader regarding the final objective.
“We will be fighting for one of those four positions and one of those medals. Undoubtedly, the Roberto Clemente Coliseum will have to see a lot, because it is magical and with us it will not be different, “said Rosado.
The match between the Virgin Islands and Colombia will break the ice at 12:10 pm, followed by the Dominican Republic against Argentina (2:20 pm) and Brazil against El Salvador (6:10 pm).
Strict protocols
The doors of the Roberto Clemente Coliseum will be opened to receive spectators.
Yum Ramos, president of the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation, explained that the limit quota fluctuates between 4,200 and 4,300 people, who will be located on the second and third levels of the sports venue with social distancing between groups of a maximum of four members. .
People who purchase tickets must present evidence that they received the doses of the vaccines against the COVID-19 virus as well as identification. In addition, the use of masks inside the coliseum will be required.
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