SAN JUAN (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Rick Pitino has set the tone for Puerto Rico's busy summer of basketball by preaching defense on the first day of the team's preparations.

The American coach, who will try to get the Boricuas to the Final of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City (31 August - 12 September) to clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, stressed the need for everyone to be fully committed to his schemes and especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The message was well received.

"He spoke a little of everything, offense, defense, full-court pressure," veteran shooting guard Larry Ayuso said to Primera Hora.

"We saw video of what he wants us to do. It has been a positive experience for us."

Pitino had a video session with the players, too, so everyone can understand what he is looking for on both ends of the court.

"It was very good," veteran guard Jose Barea said.

"On the first day, the most important thing is to meet.

"Meet the coach, the players that we have not met, and for the coach to tell us what he wants."

Other players who participated in the opening practice were Alejandro "Bimbo" Carmona, Luis Villafane, Devon Collier, Carlos "Yao" Lopez, Jesus Jezreel, Gary Browne, Jesse Pellot and Paul Graham.

First up for Puerto Rico this summer will be the 2015 Pan American Games, which will be played from July 21 to 25 in Toronto.

The Puerto Rican team will compete in Group A against the United States, Brazil and Venezuela.

At the FIBA Americas Championship, Puerto Rico will play in Group B with Canada, Cuba, Argentina and Venezuela.

Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for complete coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA