Puerto Rico played Cuba yesterday in Havana in a match that defined their stay in the FIBA World Cup qualifier.
In a game that was a “life or death”, the National Men’s Basketball Team took to the court yesterday in Havana Vs. Cuba in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Puerto Rico was (1-2) and had to win to avoid a tie with the Cubans (0-3) in the third position of Group D in the Americas region. The first three of the key advance to the second round after the third round (of two games for each selected) that will be held in the first days of July.
The Puerto Ricans left Washington, D.C. on Friday after being defeated last Thursday 93-76 by the United States. On the way to the neighboring country, they lost forward, Ysmael Romero because he was unable to process his Cuban passport in time, the local Basketball Federation reported on Friday.
Romero was replaced by Chris Gastón, who had not yet arrived in the Cuban capital yesterday afternoon making situation a bit more tense.
Puerto Rico played a tight game that was close until the final seconds and defeated Cuba 65-62 in this important second qualifying window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Jezreel De Jesús led Puerto Rico with 21 points, while Jasiel Rivero, scored 13 points for his Cuban team. The rebound leaders were Gary Browne and Yorman Polas Bartolo with 7 each, while the assists were dominated by Javier Mojica with 3 and Jasiel Rivero with 4.
