SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Ángel Daniel Vassallo picked up things from where he left them in the first round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers, by scoring 11 important points in Puerto Rico's triumph against Panama on Friday, 82-73.

After missing the last four games of the national team due to injury, Vassallo went straight to the starting lineup and did not let anyone down. The 6’6” (1.98 meters) small forward was effective by scoring five out of nine field throws during 17 minutes of action. Vassallo had been a star of the first two matches Puerto Rico played in the first round of the tournament, averaging 15 points per game.

This was also the first time in eight years that the player wore the red, white and blue as a local in Puerto Rican territory.

“It's an honor to wear the Puerto Rican uniform once again, and it's a difficult mission, but I know what I have to do,” said Vassallo to FIBA.com once the game was over.

Vassallo is coming to the Qualifiers after a solid season at the Puerto Rico National League (BSN, Baloncesto Superior Nacional), where he averaged 16.3 points per game while playing for Leones de Ponce and portraying a good physical condition.

“Rest. A lot of rest, concentration. The mind is stronger than the body,” said Vassallo about his preparation for this game.

For the astute 32-year-old player, this means an improved performance when considering his last contribution against the Panamanian quintet at the 2016 Centrobasket, when Vassallo registered 5 points in 28 minutes at the game where Puerto Rico was defeated, 87-64.

The number eight jersey was active from the jump-start, shooting his traditional floater in a pair of occasions, working in the effort zones and recovering three rebounds.

Regarding his mindset for the game that took place at a full Roberto Clemente Coliseum in the city of San Juan, the baller commented: “It's normal. I'm playing the same game I always play -- I play for Puerto Rico.”

Vassallo, with his performance, put coach Eddie Casiano in a difficult spot, and had to decide if putting him or young small forward Gian Clavell to open the fourth quarter.

“I had to take a decision between going small in the one, do and three positions or go with Vassallo. That's the part where I have to take the decision and at the end of the day, it worked,” said Casiano in a press conference after the game.

For Vassallo, the key in the next games is to control the ball. This after the Caribbean team added 16 losses in their encounter against Panama, a fact that seems to worry the roster that is on their way to a difficult game against Argentina, where they will play as visitors.

“(We must) play more intelligently, we shouldn’t make too many turnovers. We made too much turnovers today. I believe that if we play a bit smarter we’ll have a better chance.”

Emmanuel Márquez
FIBA