PUR - Toro to leave Puerto Rico post after FIBA World Championship

GUAYNABO (FIBA World Championship) - Puerto Rico coach Julio Toro will leave his post with the national team after the FIBA World Championship to open the door ``to another coaching generation''.

Toro has been in charge of the side since January 1999 and has amassed a vast amount of experience following spells as Flor Melendez's assistant in the late 1970s and Raymond Dalmau's number two in the 1990s.

"After this tournament, I will not be available for the national team anymore," said Toro.

"After each championship in the past years, I put myself at the federation board's disposal, but it won't be like that this time, because I will not be available to continue.

"I have some other things to do in life. This change will be useful for the team to have another colour, to be injected by new possibilities."

Toro is currently preparing his side for the opening game of the FIBA World Championship, against the United States on August 19 in Guaynabo.

The team will face Panama in two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament.

Toro has asked the national federation to appoint a Puerto Rican coach as his successor, suggesting his assistant Manolo Cintron as a potential candidate.

"I hope my post continues in a Puerto Rican's hands," he added. 

PA Sport
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