Puerto Rico gear up for vital games with strong squad
SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Puerto Rico are entering the second window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers with a sense of urgency following an 0-2 start and not surprisingly have plenty of firepower in the squad for games against Mexico and the Bahamas.
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Two of Puerto Rico's star performers at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China and members of the team that fell to the USA in their first two AmeriCup Qualifiers, Gary Browne and Isaiah Pineiro, are among the 24 players for this window.
Browne is excelling with Italian side Dolomiti Energia Trentino while Pineiro is a leading player for VEF Riga in Latvia, a team in the Basketball Champions League.
Also on the 24-man list are key man Gian Clavell, Devon Collier, Angel Rodriguez and Bryan Díaz.
There was speculation that Puerto Rico coach Eddie Casiano may not be with the national team in this window since he is also at the helm of club side Piratas, but his presence with the Boricuas has been confirmed.
Puerto Rico face Mexico on November 29 and the Bahamas on November 30.
| Puerto Rico 24-man squad for FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers | ||||
| Alex Abreu | Emmanuel Andujar | Christopher Brady | Gary Browne | Gian Clavell |
| Gilberto Clavell | Devon Collier | Bryan Díaz | Iván Gandí | Luis “Pelacoco” Hernández |
| Carlos “Yao” López | Isaiah Manderson | Christopher Ortiz | Jorge Pacheco | Jaysean Paige |
| Timajh Parkery | Isaiah Piñeiro | Derek Reese | Justin Reyes | Ángel Rodríguez |
| Jonathan Rodríguez | Jose Rodríguez | Benito Santiago Jr. | Isaac Sosa | |
Taking into account health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIBA decided to return to competition in a “bubble” format, which allows for a more controlled and secured environment for teams to compete.
The venue for the Group B bubble - Puerto Rico's games, as well as the USA game against the Bahamas (Nov. 29) and Mexico (Nov. 30) - is to be announced soon.
FIBA
