Completed the mission of qualifying for the AmeriCup, level up the next challenge of the National Team

the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team seemed to regain his north this past weekend in this Olympic year with the two victories he added here and the classification he achieved thanks to these victories in the tournament AmeriCup 2022, One that several months ago seemed in doubt.

The president of the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation, Yum Ramos, saw at least some progress compared to the team that looked “horrible” for lack of proper preparation and lack of key pieces two months ago, on the occasion of the second FIBA ​​window played in Indianapolis .

“We’re getting better,” Ramos said.

1. Barea considers that Cassià must leave the Selection

2. Far from the withdrawal of Barea from the National Team: “I want to play here again with fanaticism at Roberto Clemente”

Puerto Rico hosted the final window of the qualifier and, with its back to the wall, beat Mexico and the Bahamas to qualify for the AmeriCup 2022 tournament. Getting this ticket was important because the American tournament will be the event that will distribute the basketball rankings at the Pan American Games Chile 2023. Meanwhile, finishing in the best possible position in the scenario they faced, that is, second in Group d, also has its value because the final positions they serve for the pareos of the group draw for the windows of the FIBA ​​qualifying window for the 2023 World Cup, which will start in November this year.

“We are pleased that the goal of classification has been achieved,” Ramos added before a possible crisis was formed yesterday when an interview recorded a few weeks ago was published in which the shipowner José Juan Barea said that he considers that the Basketball Federation should change to national leader, as Eddie Casiano currently holds.

Before that, the reasons for joy were many. The recently completed window also served for the team to see the anticipated debut of the experienced NBA owner and son of a Puerto Rican, Shabazz Napier, and for him to provide the atmosphere in the group.

I went to see him (at Shabazz Napier) before he left and he told me he was really excited. He was very mature, productive and involved. The expectation is that it will come in the summer (to go to the Olympic Repechage in Serbia). How it acclimatized, how it felt, we should have no problems

–Yum Ramos

Napier’s debut closed with a 22-point performance, eight assists, seven rebounds and several stacks of spectacular plays in the 102-97 win over the Bahamas on Saturday.

Meanwhile, on Friday in his debut and first game in nearly six months, he contributed 13 points with three rebounds and five assists in the 80-70 victory over Mexico.

According to Ramos, the NBA free agent left with a good taste about the experience in the selected, which gives security to the administration of the set.

“I went to see him before he left and he told me he was really excited,” Ramos said. “He was very mature, productive and involved. The expectation is that he will come in the summer (to go to the Olympic Repechage in Serbia). How he acclimatized, how he felt, we should have no problems,” he said. Ramos added.

Both the improvement, and the classification or the entry of Napier, are reasons to celebrate, but not to finish the work of the Selection that the summer has a greater challenge to look for stronger teams than those faced in recent days the to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Ramos said there is “technical” and “managerial” space to improve over the course of the year. He specified that the search for players like Napier needs to continue to improve the team with a view to him qualifying for the Olympics. In the Olympic Repechage of June Puerto Rico will be in Group B along with Italy and Senegal, while Group A is made up of the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Serbia.

“Active recruitment must continue. And college players will be available in the summer,” he said.

Players like center Tyler Davis have always been in the sights of the National Team. If he agrees to return to the team, this great man would help strengthen one of the areas of great weakness in the squad, as Cassià and Barea have well acknowledged.

Other players that Puerto Rico has tried to compromise are striker Jonathan Isaac, of the Orlando Magic, and winger Maurice Harkless, of the Miami Heat.

The team will start working on the track for the Repechaje at least 14 days before the tournament, which will be played from June 29 to July 4.

It is not ruled out, however, that if they have players available, training will start earlier, Ramos said.

Meanwhile, Ramos confirmed to this medium a fire that will make the National Team in Greece prior to the Repechaje.

The bonfire will be played between June 18 and 21 and rivals will be Senegal, Serbia and Greece.

“This is already confirmed,” the federal leader concluded on the exchange.