MONTEVIDEO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) – Head Coach Ruben Magnano announced Uruguay’s 16-player pool for the final window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.

The Uruguayans will first travel to Monterrey to face the Mexican National Team on February 22. The team will then travel to San Juan to face Puerto Rico at the historic Coliseo Roberto Clemente on February 25.

 
Esteban Batista will be a leading force for Magnano’s team on both sides of the court. The center leads the team with 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

In a previous interview with FIBA.Basketball, Batista said: “We don’t have the choice but win, as we just want to go to China 2019. We have done so many sacrifices and efforts and we will give an extra one in February to get our spot for the next FIBA World Cup. For our basketball, for our fans, for the team, for the staff, for everyone who loves basketball in our country and many more, we want to qualify for the next World Cup. It’s two games left, we want to give our best and play like warriors like we have been doing since the beginning of the qualifiers. Mexico and Puerto Rico are two very tough opponents, but we will be ready for those two games, motivated like we always are.”

“We want to take Uruguay to the world’s stage and show what we are capable of. We aren’t there yet, but reaching this dream is close to us now, so we will do everything we can to qualify,” he added.

With both teams tied with a 6-4 record on Group E of the Americas Qualifiers, a win over the Boricuas would qualify the Uruguayans to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 for the first time since 1986.

FIBA