SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Puerto Rico triumphed at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 at home in San Juan to clinch a spot in the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2004.
Nelson Colon's men's were helped by 13,504 passionate supporters who showed up in numbers to will the home side to a 79-68 victory against Lithuania in Sunday's Final.
The one-two punch of Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters proved unstoppable for the Europeans, as Alvarado led the way with a game-high 23 points and Waters chipped in with 18.
Alvarado was named the TISSOT MVP of the tournament after averaging 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals, as the hosts went a perfect four-of-four in San Juan.
Puerto Rico topped Bahrain and Italy in Group B of their Olympic Qualifying Tournament before eliminating Mexico in the Semi-Finals en route to securing the golden ticket to Paris.
In the Olympics, Puerto Rico will slot into Group C alongside defending Olympic champions USA, a Nikola Jokic-led Serbia and South Sudan, who will be making their first-ever appearance at the Games.
The Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament will commence on July 27 in Lille, concluding with the Final and Third-Place Game at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10.
FIBA