PUR - Buster blow for Puerto Rico

GUAYNABO (FIBA World Championship) - Puerto Rico forward Angel 'Buster' Figueroa could miss the FIBA World Championship after missing training with a hip injury.

The Capitanes forward left the court during a warm-up match against the United States on Thursday and the pain was enough to sideline him during the following day's practice session.

Julio Toro, the Puerto Rico coach, must now monitor the situation and decide whether to retain the player or call up a replacement.

"We don't know if he can get over it in time", commented Toro's assistant Flor Melendez.

Figueroa was named in the 12-strong party after some promising displays in the Centro-American and Caribbean Games in Colombia, where Puerto Rico won the gold medal.

Puerto Rico will now face Panama in two friendly-games on Wednesday and Thursday before travelling to Japan.

"We'll keep on preparing ourselves, we must keep on working without any rest", said Melendez.

"We have to go on improving our defence and making it more aggressive. In attack, I think we are equal to the other teams, so we have to focus on defence".

Puerto Rico were beaten by the US Team 116-82 and 114-69 in Las Vegas.

PA Sport