Motivated Puerto Rico readies for friendly match against United States as FIBA World Cup approaches

On the way to the friendly match against the United States, manager Nelson Colón recalled a quote from the Puerto Rican basketball legend José “Piculín” Ortiz that hit home with the players of the national preselection.

“We Puerto Ricans, every time we enter the field, we don’t lower our heads. We look at each other face to face with any team”, Colón shared about the motivational words of Ortiz, who was present in a couple of practices of the national shortlisted team.

“I think that got through to the team. We have a very positive mentality. I think those words left a mark on all of us,” Colón added.

Puerto Rico faces the United States on Monday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a second warm-up match for the FIBA ​​World Cup 2023 to be played from August 25 in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

The match, which begins at 10:00 pm, will be broadcast on the island by Wapa Deportes and in the United States by FS1.

The Puerto Ricans began their preparation last week and on Friday they defeated the Dominican Republic 93-85 in a friendly held before 14,300 people at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.

During the early hours of Saturday, they left for the so-called “Sin City” to have two days of preparation for the game against the number two team in the FIBA ​​world rankings.

The United States presents a renewed squad for the World Cup after finishing seventh in China 2019, losing its World Cup reign. None of the 12 called up, established in the NBA, has experience with the adult team.

Led by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the squad is comprised of Brandon Ingram, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Austin Reaves, Josh Hart, Paolo Banchero, Jaren Jackson Jr. , Bobby Portis, and Walker Kessler. The average age of the team is 25 years.

Six of the 12 averaged 20 points or more during the 2022-23 NBA season. Banchero, of the Orlando Magic, is coming off winning the Rookie of the Year award.

“What we have seen from the United States is a team that is very similar in stature. They are athletes. They are combined with good shooters, penetrations with the ball on the ground. With a leader who knows the game a lot. Their offensive system is varied, with a start for shooters, the pick and roll, they go looking for disadvantages. They are going to change everything defensively,” said Colón.

“We have to be aware of that. Do not keep the ball in your hands for a long time in substitutions, try to attack inside if you have an advantage. If not, keep playing so they have to get involved defensively. We are going to find our game rhythm and compete hard for 40 minutes”, he pointed out.

The United States had two 10-minute sessions against an assembly of the major basketball program on Friday, losing both sides.

George Conditt IV was the best scorer for Puerto Rico against the Dominican Republic with 22 points, followed by 19 points from Isaiah Piñeiro and 14 with eight assists from Tremont Waters.

After Las Vegas, the national pre-selection leaves for Italy for a match against the Italians on August 13. The next stop will be Serbia against the Serbs on the 16th and then China-Taipei for friendlies against Lithuania and Latvia on August 19 and 21, respectively.

Puerto Rico opens its participation in the World Cup on August 26 against South Sudan.

party sheet

Puerto Rico vs. United States (friendly) Monday, August 7 at 10:00 pm (Puerto Rico time) Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Broadcast: Wapa Deportes (Puerto Rico) and FS1 (United States)
2023-08-07 03:52:38
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