SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) — Currently, Puerto Rico is close to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. However, stepping on Puerto Rico's toes is Panama, who are dreaming with returning to the most important international basketball tournament.

In a duel that has several implications for their objectives in the Americas Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China 2019, Puerto Rico will receive Panama this Friday as part of the Group E action in the beginning of the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers. This encounter will take place at the legendary Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan — a venue that is once again sold out, repeating the feat of the last window, when the Puerto Rican side received the overwhelming support of their people.

Puerto Rico (4-2) are third in Group E; while Panama (3-3) are fifth — just a game away from the Puerto Ricans. The game is of the utmost importance for both squads, since for Puerto Rico this will be their last game as locals this year, and Panama want to avoid sinking deeper and continue towards their goal of going after their first FIBA World Cup since 2006.

As for the Caribbean national team, the squad coached by Eddie Casiano will have their greatest figure, veteran point guard José Juan Barea, who in the last window averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 assists in the victories against Cuba and Mexico. The Boricuas will count on known faces, such as Ricardo Sánchez, Jorge Bryan Díaz, Gary Browne, Ángel Rodríguez and Gian Clavell.

“Our goal in the National Program is still the same: qualifying to the World Cup. We will keep being focused and our minds are set in achieving our objective,” said Casiano in his social media. “That's why everyone has to contribute, sacrifice for the team and listen,” added the head coach who has been leading the national team for two years.
Puerto Rico has a shortlist of 14 players, including guards David Huertas and Javier Mojica, both of whom are active in the final series of their country's league.- Eddie Casiano, head coach of Puerto Rico

 However, Puerto Rico will not be counting on guard John Holland or center Tyler Davis. Holland stated that he is recovering from a knee injury, while Davis opted to stay out and is concentrating on preparing for his role with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as reported by the local basketball federation.

Despite not having their best team, Puerto Rico did a good job in the first round of the qualifiers after defeating the Cubans and Mexicans twice, and only slimly losing twice against the United States.

In Panama’s case, the team coached by Manuel Hussein will have a mix of experience and youth. The Central Americans will have experimented players Joel Muñoz, Trevor Gaskins and Josimar Ayarsa on their side, joined by promises Eugenio Luzcando and Alejandro Grant. Carlos Javier Rodríguez, Jamaal Levy, Ernesto Oglivie, Daniel Girón and Akil Mitchell join the national list. Nonetheless, Panama's chances of triumph will rely on what forwards Tony Bishop and Javier Carter might do.

“I think we're improving. If we play how we know to do it, we’ll be all right,” Carter pointed out, in declarations shared by the Panama Basketball Federation.

The Panama national team, that last weekend played a friendly match against Chile, is already in Puerto Rican soil.
The last time that the Boricuas and Panamanians faced off was at the 2016 Centrobasket in Panama City, where the locals marked their territory, 87-64. At the moment, Panama are repeating six players that were present at that game, a number similar to the one Puerto Rico might present. At a historical level, Puerto Rico dominates this series 43-15, with a 7-2 in official duels that have taken place in the island.

After Friday’s encounter, Puerto Rico and Panama may face very difficult encounters. The Puerto Rican squad will then travel to Formosa to play against locals Argentina; meanwhile, the Panamanians will be at home (Arena Roberto Durán) to welcome the United States.

Puerto Rico and Panama will meet once again in the Qualifiers, this time on December 2nd and in the Central American nation.

FIBA