With the urgency of winning and without their main weapon – the sixth man in the Coliseum Roberto Clemente -, the men’s national basketball team debuts today against Mexico in the last FIBA qualifying window in the AmeriCup 2022 tournament.
Puerto Rico – who had almost two weeks to prepare and will once again have their captain, José Juan Barea, and Shabazz Napier’s debut – need to secure a Group D victory to stay in battle for one of three available tickets for the continental pageant.
Cassià -who knows the Mexican squad very well- stated that the preparation was “extraordinary” and that he has the resources -despite the loss of pivot Jorge Brian Díaz and striker Isaiah Piñeiro- to present “a good show “behind closed doors at the capital’s stadium.
“The players have all been super-disciplined, emotional and very positive. It’s a different group because of course we don’t have what we’ve always lacked in stature. But we have the speed (with) average players. We have the inclusion of Barea and Shabazz “Like Gian (Clavell), who comes from Russia. We have a fairly balanced and complete team to make a good and worthy representation as all Puerto Ricans deserve,” the Puerto Rican leader said during a conversation with the media on Thursday.
The other time player of the national team understands that this group “good, young, enthusiastic and disciplined”, as he described his 12 players called up for this third window, will be able to beat him in Mexico and on Saturday in the Bahamas.
In addition to Barea, Napier and Gian Clavell, there are also Gilberto Clavell, Emmy Andújar, Ramon Clemente, Chris Ortiz, Devon Collier, Josep “Money” Rodríguez, Iván Gandia, Isaac Sosa and Timajh Parker-Rivera.
“I understand that we are perfectly to compete well. These two weeks of practice came to us super well. I think this is the way to always work. We are quite well prepared to give a good show,” he added.
However, Cassià acknowledged that both teams will be a tough nut to crack and that the Boricuas will have to adapt their game to the lack of height.
Thinking first of the Mexicans, they will have the giant Gustavo Ayón, who measures 6’8 “tall. Mexico has just comfortably beat Puerto Rico 81-56 in the second window played in Indianapolis.
“The (roster of) the Mexican team found out on Wednesday. I know the players. They are very strong inside. We have to see how the leader will use them. I know Omar Quintero. I know how he works. I know he is a good coach, a leader in the classics, from the old school who will play ‘inside’. He’s going to do a lot of things that (Gustavo) Ayón usually does to put him in the group. that goes well on offensive rebounds.Good aggressive on defense.We have to get on the rebound in the family.I think the responsibility should not fall only on the four-five, it should also be on one , two and three. If we mastered the tables, we must have easy baskets “, Cassià analyzed.
On the Napier-Barea pairing, the veteran coach said they will make a good pair.
“Shabazz, part of being a great player with a lot of experience, will take on the role of any point guard, as he has had in past tournaments Gary Browne, who has to lead the game and defensively has to control one’s position, and make a good pair with Barea Maybe I can start with them as a bench comes out But it’s more of what he’s always done Distribute sweet to all the players and defend the point guard so I don’t get hurt in this position of a “, he added.
Puerto Rico is third in Group D with a 1-3 record, as is Bahamas, which is fourth. For its part, Mexico is second with 2-2 and the United States is already ranked 4-0.
Both matches are scheduled for 9:00 pm and will be broadcast by WAPA Sports.