Puerto Rico’s Character Shines Through as they Defeat Dominican Republic in World Cup

For the legendary Puerto Rican basket player José ‘Piculín’ Ortiz, the National Basketball Team demonstrated its character against the Dominican Republic, despite the fact that it did not have full control of the game that both played in the second round of the Basketball World Cup.

“It is a victory of character as it is a difficult game. I think we played a little bit of luck because, at least for me, I’m not seeing that they have control of the game. If you are ahead by 16, you have to play with time and the score, but victory is victory and you have to congratulate them for it,” Ortiz told Primera Hora.

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After the Puerto Ricans led by double digits for most of the first half, the Dominican quintet made a 14-3 run to close the second period and tie the game.

Driven by enebeista Karl-Anthony Towns, the team from Quisqueyan had an 11-point lead in the third period. However, point guard Tremont Waters responded in the midst of the Puerto Ricans’ offensive drought and managed to put them in play. Waters finished with 37 points and 11 assists.

Although Piculín credited Waters for capitalizing on crucial moments in the game, the former National Team player emphasized that the 25-year-old point guard should focus more on creating more ball movement on the court, as this would benefit the team. team in games like the one this Sunday against Italy.

“He needs to be a little more demanding in how he sees and deals the game as such. I think he should focus more on distributing the game, because when a point guard distributes the game, the important shots are going to be his and they are going to leave him alone, ”he commented.

Tremont Waters went nuclear in a crucial Puerto Rico win to earn TCL Player of the Game honors ????

???? 37 PTS | 11 AST | 7 REB | 7 3PM | 43 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForPuertoRico ???????? | #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/tEwAGLQOml

— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) September 1, 2023

According to Ortiz, Puerto Rico will have a better chance of winning against the Italians if they move the ball, take shots with a higher percentage and do not depend on three-point baskets, as they have done so far in the World Cup. Even today they hit 42.3% of their attempts from distance.

“The tough ones when it comes to moving the ball and playing half court are the Europeans. I understand that the shot of three is not the shot that we should take as an option, but it is the shot that either you are God or nothing if you don’t hit them. They are too early shots and we cannot depend on them”, he explained.

“The percentage shot is the shot when you play half court and you have everyone on the pass and pass. In addition, we put the opposing team to defend so that they mark you fouls, you tire them more and get them into foul trouble. You don’t do that with a pass and a three-point shot, ”he added.

The Puerto Rican squad was surpassed by the Dominican in assists 22-20.

However, Piculín stressed that the Puerto Ricans have gone from low to high in recent weeks thanks to the blanks they carried out. Likewise, he maintained that these matches helped them to better understand the FIBA ​​game and create greater chemistry between them.

Puerto Rico will clash against Italy this Sunday at 4:00 in the morning for the ticket to the quarterfinals of the FIBA ​​World Cup. The Italian quintet comes from a surprising victory over Serbia 78-76, in which forward Simone Fontechicchio finished with 30 points.

2023-09-01 21:38:41
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