SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Puerto Rico will travel to Austin, Texas, to prepare for next month's World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico and the United States.

The Boricuas, who in November suffered a 85-78 defeat to the United States in Orlando and bounced back to claim a 95-72 triumph over Cuba in Havana, will face Mexico for the first time on February 23, in Monterrey.

Puerto Rico lost to Mexico 69-66 in the Group Phase at FIBA AmeriCup 2017

Puerto Rico will then travel to California for a game three days later against the USA in Santa Cruz.

Ricardo Dalmau, who serves on the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation executive committee and is the national team delegate, indicated that the team will have a similar look to the one that competed in November.

"We will travel with 12 players," he said to Primera Hora. "If there are changes, there will be minor changes."

The preparation time in Austin will be vital as Puerto Rico look to rekindle the positive emotions that the players and coaches had after their resounding win at Cuba.

There was not much separating the team with the USA and a win was imperative at Cuba, just as one will be at Mexico.

"We saw ourselves more fluid on the offense (than against the USA)," Puerto Rico coach Eddie Casiano said. "One of the things we preach the most is that we do everything together, both on defense and offense and the defense was perfect.

"On offense, we had some spectacular moments but we have to keep improving the consistency."

Angel Vassallo, a 31-year-old small forward, was one of Puerto Rico's most influential players on offense in November. He had 16 points in the loss to the USA and 14 in the victory over Cuba.

"We have to keep working," he said, looking ahead to the clashes with Mexico and the USA.

"The veterans in the team have a different rhythm to the younger players and it takes time to jell. We have a group of players and coaches that can achieve this."

FIBA