Puerto Rico's Eddie Casiano: ''We got to the World Cup, that was the number one goal''

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - It was a long and winding road for the Puerto Rican national team, and the journey has just begun. The ticket to China is issued and in this Asian land the Puerto Rican team will try to be once again among the best in the planet.

The Caribbean team achieved their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualification after overcoming Uruguay in a “final” in the conclusion of the windows. And they did it at home, in front of the demanding fans that burst in applause for their national team. A national team that is sometimes hardly critiqued, but always followed by their people.

“Many doubted we could get in. Our section had two powerhouses: United States and Argentina. But, by the end of the day, what I want is for Puerto Rico to have a disciplined team, that’s united as a family. We want to be a country that’s among the best 10 in the world. We're not at that level, but we're on our way,” said coach Eddie Casiano in the post-game conference.

The qualifying process was full of hurdles for the Puerto Rican squad. The unavailability of certain players, the lack of practice, not playing at home in the first window after hurricane Maria changed the plans for the second half of 2017. Even so, Casiano’s group achieved the necessary wins, including a refreshing victory against Argentina and the triumph over Uruguay, that gave them the ticket to China 2019.

“This is a team that has gone through a lot. We've spent several months playing in the windows, with different players coming in and out. The group has been criticized a lot for whom I choose or not,” stated Casiano, who had to take veteran Carlos Rivera out of his retirement so that he could lend the team a hand in the point guard position during the crucial defining window.

Carlos Rivera

Likewise, the former shooting guard of the Boricua team highlighted the work of his reserves, particularly Carlos López, who contributed four points and six rebounds.

Carlos Lopez

Also, Devon Collier, and Gian Clavell, who once again demonstrated his level-headedness in the crucial moment of the game, with a three-point shot in the last minute of the encounter.

Gian Clavell

Also outstanding was point guard Gary Browne, who had to assume the reins of the game because of his childhood friend’s absence due to an injury, Ángel Rodríguez, and José Juan Barea’s as well.

“We have a future and a long road to travel and improve. We got in the World Cup, and that was our number one goal,” said Casiano, who also thanked the fans that overflowed the Clemente Coliseum, where Puerto Rico (8-4) won five of their eight qualifying games to be ranked third in Group E.

Meanwhile, Browne shared how proud he was to represent his country and achieving a World Cup qualification during a renovation stage of the national basketball program.

Gary Browne

“Not everyone has the blessing of representing their country. We travel and practice for hours. That's something that people don’t usually see, but when we went out to the court, we demonstrated our hard work. These victories were collective,” highlighted Browne, who spearheaded the Puerto Rican attack, with 16 points against an Uruguayan side that battled until the end.

And like this Puerto Rico return to a World Cup, something they have consecutively done since Spain 1986. In total, and since 1959, the Puerto Rican flag will have flown in 14 World Cups.

The Boricua flavor will be in China in their endeavor of continuing to grow.

FIBA