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The Cuban team will not participate in the third and final FIBA qualifying window that will take place on February 17-22 in Puerto Rico, while Mexico is standing, despite reports that the quintet is absent from the event .
On Thursday, the SportHD News portal, dedicated to the Cuban country’s sports, indicated that the team from the neighboring island will not come to the window due to visa complications.
Subsequently, the portal http://www.granma.cu/ cited another counterpart medium (www.jit.cu), which published a statement by the Cuban Basketball Federation confirming the absence.
“The unfortunate decision is due to the epidemiological situation associated with COVID-19, which has an impact on the training and appeal of our main players. Also, to the difficulties in guaranteeing the visa of all the members of the delegation ”, it is shown in the letter.
“Until the last moment, we bet to participate in the soil of Puerto Rico, but the situation is beyond our means and we will not respect the event or the rich history of Cuban basketball, presenting an incomplete list without the necessary preparation. We have reported this issue and decision to FIBA Americas and, at the same time, we are offering Havana as an alternative venue for the forthcoming matches with Canada and the Dominican Republic, at a time and conditions suitable for all, ”he added.
Cuba, with a record of 1-2, is part of Group C along with the Dominican Republic, Canada and the Virgin Islands. He is scheduled to play against the Canadians on the first day of the day at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.
Despite attending the second November window in Indianapolis, Mexico is still suspended from FIBA for non-compliance. Team members have not yet been announced, and Spanish coach Francisco “Paco” Olmos called the situation “frustrating” in a message on Twitter.
You can’t really understand that after playing Indianapolis Express we are getting worse than then. Responsible? 🇲🇽🏀 loss of credibility …. The group does not deserve it. We know the fun times that others have enjoyed, but not being able to play Fiba is frustrating. pic.twitter.com/qiDX4vUxXy
– Paco Olmos (@olmos_paco) February 10, 2021
“They are late in providing information, but they are taking steps,” said the source, who requested anonymity.
Mexico is scheduled to play against Puerto Rico next Friday. Both quintets are in Group D with the United States and the Bahamas. The Americans already have the ticket to AmeriCup playing 4-0. Mexico has a 2-2 record and Puerto Rico 1-3, as do the Bahamians. The top three teams in the group advance to next year’s tournament.
Canada, meanwhile, already has some of Puerto Rico’s coaching staff, and players are expected to arrive over the weekend. The Canadians withdrew from attending their group’s second window in the Dominican Republic in November due to pandemic complications. FIBA fined Canada $ 227,138 and eliminated a point in the standings. For coming to Puerto Rico, the fine will be reduced by half and the point will not be deleted.
The Roberto Clemente Coliseum will host a “bubble” format, without a public in the stands, in accordance with strict protocols to avoid COVID-19 infections.