Now that the mission of qualifying for the AmeriCup has been accomplished, step up the next national team challenge

The Puerto Rico National Basketball Team He seemed to be regaining his north last weekend in this Olympic year with the two wins he added here and the standings he achieved thanks to those triumphs at the tournament. AmeriCup 2022, one that seemed to question a few months ago.

The president of the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation, Yum Ramos, at least saw progress from the team that looked “awful” due to lack of adequate preparation and lack of key pieces two months ago on the occasion of the second FIBA ​​window played in Indianapolis.

“We are improving,” said Ramos.

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Puerto Rico hosted the final qualifying window, beating Mexico and the Bahamas with their backs to the wall to qualify for the AmeriCup 2022 tournament. Getting that ticket was important because the Americas tournament will be the event that will divide the basketball qualifiers to the Pan American Games Chile 2023. Meanwhile, finishing in the best possible position within the scenario they faced has that ie second in group D, also its value because the finishing positions are used for the matches of the group draw in front of the FIBA ​​qualification windows until the 2023 World Cup, which starts in November this year.

“We are delighted that the goal of qualifying has been achieved,” Ramos added before a potential crisis emerged yesterday when an interview taped a few weeks ago was published in which point guard José Juan Barea said he feels the Basketball Federation’s national leader, a position currently held by Eddie Casiano.

Before that, the reasons for joy were many. The recently completed window also allowed the national team to see the anticipated debut of veteran NBA point guard and son of a Puerto Rican, Shabazz Napier, and test the atmosphere in the group.

I went to see him (Shabazz Napier) before he left and he said he was very excited. He was very mature, productive and involved. He is expected to come in the summer (including to the Olympic second chance in Serbia). How it acclimated, how it felt, we shouldn’t have any issues

Yum Ramos

Napier’s debut closed with a 22-point performance, eight assists, seven rebounds and several spectacular play counts in a 102-97 victory over the Bahamas on Saturday.

Meanwhile, on Friday in his debut and his first game in nearly six months, he contributed 13 points with three rebounds and five assists in the 80-70 win over Mexico.

According to Ramos, the NBA-free agent left with good taste about the experience in the team, which gives assurance to the management of the team.

“I went to see him before he left and he said he was very excited,” said Ramos. “He was very mature, productive and involved. He is expected to come in the summer (including to the Olympic second chance in Serbia). How he acclimated, how he felt, we shouldn’t have any problems, ”added Ramos.

Both the improvement, such as Napier’s standings or participation, are reasons to celebrate but not to finish the work of the national team that the summer will be more challenging to find stronger teams than those who have been in the last few days faced to classify the leaderboards. Tokyo Olympics.

Ramos said there is “technical” and “managerial” room to improve during the year.He specified that the search for players like Napier must continue to improve the team to qualify for the Olympics. At the Olympic rematch in June, Puerto Rico is in Group B along with Italy and Senegal, while Group A consists of the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Serbia.

“Active recruitment must continue. And in the summer college players will be available, ”he said.

Players like center Tyler Davis have always been in the crosshairs of the national team. If he agrees to return to the team, this great man would help strengthen one of the weaknesses in the squad, as Casiano and Barea saw well.

Other players Puerto Rico has tried to compromise include striker Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic and striker Maurice Harkless of the Miami Heat.

The Squad will start working on the field for the second chance at least 14 days before the tournament, which will be played from June 29 to July 4.

However, it cannot be ruled out that if they have players available, training will start earlier, Ramos said.

Meanwhile, Ramos confirmed to this medium a blank that the national team will make prior to the rematch in Greece.

The blank will be played between June 18-21 and the rivals are Senegal, Serbia and Greece.

“That has already been confirmed,” the federated leader concluded at the exchange.