With the AmeriCup qualifying mission accomplished, rise to the next national team challenge

Puerto Rico National Basketball Team He seemed to be regaining the north last weekend of this Olympic year with the two victories he added here and the classification he obtained thanks to those triumphs in the tournament. AmeriCup 2022, one that a few months ago seemed questionable.

the president Puerto Rico Basketball FederationYum Ramos at least saw progress compared to the team that seemed “horrible” due to a lack of proper training and a lack of key pieces two months ago, during the second FIBA ​​window played in Indianapolis.

“We’re getting better,” Ramos said.

1. Barea believes that Casiano should leave the national team

2. Barea’s withdrawal from the national team is far away: “I want to play here again with Roberto Clemente fans”

Puerto Rico hosted the last qualifying window and, with its back to the wall, defeated Mexico and the Bahamas to qualify for the AmeriCup 2022 tournament. Obtaining that ticket was important because the tournament in America will be the event that will distribute basketball qualifiers to the Games. Panamericane Chile 2023. Meanwhile, finishing in the best possible position in the scenario they faced, ie the second in Group D, also has its value, because the final positions are used for group matches drawn for windows from FIBA qualification for the 2023 World Cup, which will begin in November this year.

“We are pleased that the qualification goal has been achieved,” Ramos added before a possible crisis formed yesterday, when an interview was published a few weeks ago, in which goalkeeper José Juan Barea said he believes the Basketball Federation should change national leader, a position currently held by Eddie Casiano.

Before that, there were many reasons for joy. The recently completed window also allowed the national team to see the early debut of the experienced NBA goalkeeper and the son of a Puerto Rican, Shabazz Napier, and to test the atmosphere in the group.

I went to see him (Shabazz Napier) before he left and he said he was very excited. 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 it aired, how it felt, we should have no problems

–Yum Ramos

Napier’s debut ended with a 22-point performance, eight assists, seven rebounds and several spectacular games, in a 102-97 victory over the Bahamas on Saturday.

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

According to Ramos, the NBA free agent left with a good taste about the team experience, which provides security to the team management.

“I went to see him before he left and he said he was very 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 it acclimatized, how it felt, we should not have problems “, added Ramos.

Both improvements, such as Napier’s standings or entry, are reasons to celebrate, but not to finish the national team’s work that the summer has a greater challenge to look for stronger teams than those they have faced in recent days. to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Ramos said there was “technical” and “managerial” room for improvement during the year.. He said that the search for players like Napier must continue to improve the team to qualify for the Olympic Games. In the June Olympic rehearsal, 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. College players will also 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 with great weakness in the team, as Casiano and Barea acknowledged well.

Other Puerto Rican players who have tried to compromise are striker Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic and striker Maurice Harkless of the Miami Heat.

The team will start working on the field for Repechage at least 14 days before the tournament, which will be played between June 29 and July 4.

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

Meanwhile, Ramos confirmed for this environment a goal that the national team will score in Greece before the Repechage.

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

“This is already confirmed,” the stock market leader concluded.