Puerto Rico will play first home game of World Cup Qualifiers in Orlando due to Hurricane Damage

SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) – The International Basketball Federation confirmed that the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifier game between Puerto Rico and USA, set to take place on Thursday, November 23 has been moved and will be played in Central Florida University’s CFE Arena in Orlando because of the devastation left by the impact of hurricane Maria on the island. 

The game, first for both Puerto Rico and USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers was originally scheduled to be played in San Juan.

“The reality is that after the impact and damage left by the hurricane Maria on the Island, playing the game in Puerto Rico would be a great challenge because of the limitations we currently have in the island. That is why we started to look at the possibility of it being held at a different location and thought of Orlando as the perfect host under the circumstances.”, said Puerto Rican National Federation President Yum Ramos, “Orlando is a home away from home, where there is a large Puerto Rican population that we are sure will enjoy this historic FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifying opener, along with those still in the island that will hopefully travel, reunite with their families and follow our beloved national team".

Maria, a category 4 hurricane, devastated Puerto Rico on September 20th. Currently the island has a reported 85 percent of the population without electricity and the Coliseum Roberto Clemente, which was slated to be the home arena for the Puerto Rico vs USA game, has been transformed into a command center for volunteer and government efforts.

Central Florida has an estimated Puerto Rican population of 350,000.

“We all need to do our part in the rebuilding efforts of Puerto Rico and an it is essential to get the sports activity back on shape. Myself, my coaching staff and players, we have a real commitment to the country and that is why we need the support of every Puerto Rican in these difficult times that we are livin. We have a genuine and serious commitment to prepare for this first FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifier.”, said Puerto Rico Head Coach Eddie Casiano. “We are playing in our home away from home and would like the game to feel this way. Have an arena full of Puerto Ricans that live in Central Florida and feel their warmth and support. To have their joy and love lift us."

Puerto Rico and USA play in Group C of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers, along with Cuba and Mexico in the first round of competition.

Beginning in November 2017, the Qualifiers will establish a new road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup China 2019. The new format will take place over the course of six windows and feature the world’s top 80 national teams playing 1,200 games in front of millions of fans all around the globe.

The qualifying windows for the FIBA World Basketball Cup 2019 will be November 20-28, February 19-27 (2018), June 25 to July 3, September 10-18, November 26 to December 4, and February 20-28 (2019).

After the six windows, the top seven teams from the Americas will reserve a spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China from August 31 – September 15.

Tickets for the game will be available soon at ticketmaster.com. The Puerto Rican National Federation has announced that 20 percent of the profit of the ticket sales for the Puerto Rico vs USA game will be donated to Unidos por Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts on the island.

FIBA