The Puerto Rico team captured the AmeriCup 2022 ticket with a dramatic victory over the Bahamas in the final game of the third and final FIBA qualifying window at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.
The Puerto Ricans dominated the Bahamans 102-97 in a hard-fought game where point guards José Juan Barea, Shabazz Napier and Gian Clavell combined scored 74 points.
Barea and Collier each scored 26 goals, while Clavell, who returns to the Russian league on Sunday, had another great night with 22 points, 10 of them when Puerto Rico needed it the most.
Puerto Rico took the first half 52-48, but the third half was won by the Bahamas 79-70 with a set in which they dominated 31-18.
In the fourth half, Clavell’s figure appeared again, scoring seven consecutive runs (77-81) to give Puerto Rico a second wind.
Barea and Clavell combined for a draw at 84 with 6:46 left in the set.
Several defensive errors brought Puerto Rico to the free-throw line to maintain 90-88 command. Napier scored three runs, then added a free throw for 94-88, leaving the stage open for a giant Barea güira who left the hosts 96-88 in light of the important win.
“Bahamas had a great game, but we managed to keep the game under pressure and keep it going. It was not easy. We have a great team that tied in at the end. We are happy with the win” , Barea said after the victory. who also collected seven rebounds and distributed eight assists.
Puerto Rico joined Mexico and the United States as the three teams in Group D to qualify for the AmeriCup 2022, a qualifying event for the 2023 World Cup.
Michael Thompson and David Nesbitt were the best for the Bahamas with 21 and 13 points respectively. Travis Munnings contributed 14 to the losing case, recovered 7 balls and provided nine assists.