MONTEVIDEO (Uruguay) - Uruguay stayed on course for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. On Monday, La Celeste defeated Puerto Rico 80-75 at Montevideo’s Antel Arena to earn their sixth win against two losses in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. Uruguay picked up a crucial win against a direct rival to close out Window 4, the first of the Second Round. With four games remaining, Uruguay now sits in second place in Group F, tied with Argentina. Bruno Fitipaldo and Santiago Vescovi took over Uruguay’s offense after Joaquin Rodriguez, the second-leading scorer in the Qualifiers, was ejected for receiving two technical fouls.
Fitipaldo scored 20 points, including five three-pointers, and dished out six assists. Vescovi added 16 points, including 11 in the third quarter after Rodriguez was ejected. Rodriguez had 17 points up to that point. Gonzalo Iglesias finished with 12 points, including four three-pointers, and knocked down a key shot with 19 seconds remaining. The big man took the ball as the shot clock was winding down and hit the three-pointer to give Uruguay a five-point lead at 77-72, effectively ending Puerto Rico’s comeback effort. “The team bounced back from a loss [on Thursday against Bahamas], processed the game and showed an attitude that makes me proud. From a technical and emotional standpoint, they played a very good game. The result was fair,” said Uruguay head coach Gerardo Jauri.
Puerto Rico on the brink
The Puerto Rican team now finds themselves in a very difficult position at 2-6. The best record they can finish with is 6-6. “It’s out of our hands. We have to win everything that’s left and hope the others lose. We’re pretty frustrated,” shooting guard Gian Clavell admitted. The last time Puerto Rico failed to qualify for a World Cup was in Colombia in 1982. Since then, they have qualified for 10 consecutive editions of the tournament.
New York Knicks NBA player Jose Alvarado finished with just 3 points and 9 assists. Before this game, he had scored 19 or more points and made at least two three-pointers in each of his three previous Qualifiers appearances. Ethan Thompson led Puerto Rico’s offense with 29 points, including five three-pointers and six assists. Forward Isaiah Pineiro and big men George Conditt IV and Ismael Romero all fouled out after committing five fouls each.
FIBA