SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) – Puerto Rico snapped a three-game losing streak, their worst in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers, with a 71-66 victory over the Bahamas on Sunday at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan. Ismael Romero made the difference for the winners in what was otherwise a collective effort, posting a strong 20-point performance (8-of-15 from the field) along with 10 rebounds.
His impact allowed Puerto Rico to regain ground in Group B in a must-win contest. A loss would have left them alone at the bottom of the standings. However, with their first victory secured, the team is now tied with the Bahamas at 1-3. The two teams will meet again in the final window in another decisive matchup. Romero has been one of the team’s key figures in recent years. Since joining the national squad, he has competed in the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, averaging 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. He later helped Puerto Rico qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—the country’s first Olympic appearance in 20 years. On that global stage, he contributed 7.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Last year at the FIBA AmeriCup in Nicaragua, he delivered his best showing yet, averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 boards with a 22.3 efficiency rating. In the first window of these Qualifiers—when Puerto Rico dropped two games to Jamaica—Romero was not among the 12-man roster, and his absence was noticeable. He answered head coach Carlos González’s call this time and made an immediate impact. Despite the February 26 loss, he scored 16 points on just 7 field-goal attempts and grabbed 8 rebounds. On Sunday, in a challenging matchup against former NBA player Kai Jones, the 34-year-old once again underscored his value.
Head coach González praised his interior anchor’s performance. “Ismael did an impeccable job,” González said in the postgame press conference. “The Bahamas focused on taking away our shooters, so we tried to position Ismael on the weak side so he could cut to the basket and capitalize on the pick-and-roll game. He executed very well, and our playmakers moved the ball to find him,” he explained. Romero closes this second window averaging 18.0 points on 63.4 percent shooting (14-of-22), 9.0 rebounds, and a 20.0 efficiency rating. In the third and final window, Puerto Rico will face Canada (who are already qualified for the Second Round) and the Bahamas again, with both games on the road.
FIBA