SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Canada continued their winning run, remaining undefeated in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers by defeating Puerto Rico 96-85 in the first overtime game of Window 2. With the victory, Canada became the first team in the region to clinch a spot in the Second Round.
However, it wasn’t without a fight as Puerto Rico forced Canada to play outside their comfort zone, with 15 lead changes and intensity from both sides leading to an overtime period where Canada would finally find their winning technique, holding Puerto Rico to just 3 points while scoring 14 of their own. Winning their first two games by a total of 42 points, Canada was tested by Puerto Rico, trailing by double-digits in the first half and needing to change their game plan from their usual run of show. Canada lost just one game across the 2023 qualifiers windows. Puerto Rico had four players score 15 or more points in the win, but they were no match for the duo of Marcus Carr and Kyle Wiltjer, who scored 35 and 18 points, respectively, with Carr putting up a +34 efficiency rating. Both players were clutch in the fourth quarter to keep Canada pushing against a resilient Puerto Rico squad. “Puerto Rico gave us a tough game right there, we knew it was going to be a tough environment coming in, we knew what type of team they were, we knew we were going to have to step up our physicality to win this game,” said Carr.
Even though Puerto Rico is still searching for that first victory, they have scored 89 points per game on average, and lost to Jamaica by just a combined 7 points across two games. The 11-point deficit between themselves and Canada is the largest loss of the competition for Puerto Rico so far. Taking on the undefeated Canadian team, Puerto Rico is facing off in a stacked group that also includes Jamaica and Bahamas. During the qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup 2023, Puerto Rico secured their spot on the last day of action. They managed to force 15 different lead changes against the Canadians, though even a double-digit deficit couldn’t stop the team that claimed bronze in the previous World Cup. Canada head coach Nate Mitchell had nothing but praise for the Puerto Rican side. He pushed the undefeated Canadians to the brink, forcing them to adjust their game plan early and rely on their entire rotation to produce against a physical game. “Overall it was a great game to be involved in, two high level teams. I understand the score and record of both teams, but at the end of the day, it’s always tough in these FIBA environments,” said Mitchell. Puerto Rico is now the last team in Group B without a win as Bahamas defeated Jamaica 99-96. Puerto Rico will face off against Bahamas next.
FIBA