SAN JUAN (FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019) – The Puerto Rico Basketball Federation (FBPUR) and the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico secured the city of Manaty as host of the Centrobasket Women’s Championship 2018, from August 20-24 in the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz.

The Centrobasket Women’s Championship will feature:
Bahamas
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Guatemala
Mexico
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands

“The Centrobasket Women’s Championship will be the official start of the road to the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019, and we are pleased to announce Puerto Rico as the host of this 2018 edition. Puerto Rico’s recent success and future participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September is proof of their commitment to the development of women’s basketball in the country and the region. We are more than confident that it will be a great and memorable event.”, said FIBA Americas President Mr. Usie Richards.

"At the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico we are proud to host and main sponsor of the Centrobasket Women's Championship 2018. This event is an excellent opportunity to continue positioning the Island as an outstanding destination for Sports Tourism and at the same time it is crucial for the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2019 qualification. The celebration of the Centrobasket on the Island projects approximately an economic impact of about $ 401,184.00 for Manatí and our Porta Atlántico Tourist Region. This type of event also makes it easier for us to show internationally that, as has been the commitment of Governor Ricardo Rosselló, tourism in Puerto Rico is undergoing a quick recovery and in a better position than ever to receive tourists," said the Executive Director of the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico, Carla Campos.

"It is an honor and pride for me and our town of Manatí, to know that thanks to the work and effort of the National Basketball Federation of Puerto Rico, the Governor of Puerto Rico, the Sports and Recreation Department of Puerto Rico, to announce we will host the Centrobasket Women’s Championship in our city, receiving several Central American countries. We will work for this activity to be one of excellence and enjoyment, giving a warm welcome to all participating countries to our Manatí,” said José A. Sánchez González, Mayor of Manatí.

"We are very pleased that Puerto Rico is the host of the Centrobasket Women’s Championship. We fought for the tournament to be here and we did it. This stage will allow eight teams from brother countries to visit us and continue to expand women's sport on the Island. With the celebration of the tournament all Puerto Ricans will have the opportunity to see our Puerto Rican squad play and achieve one of the four tickets for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019," said the Director of the Sports and Recreation Department, Adriana Sánchez Parés.

"Our commitment to women's basketball continues to have results, and now we have the endorsement of the Puerto Rican Government and the Municipality of Manatí to host this tournament, with the objective being that the public and sports fan can see the players who will be representing Puerto Rico in the FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup in September," said Yum Ramos, President of the Basketball Federation of Puerto Rico.

The top four teams from the Centrobasket Women’s Championship 2018 will qualify to the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019.

FIBA