PUR - Dreaded time of final cuts approaches for Gonzalez

SAN JUAN (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) - Omar Gonzalez is no different to the other coaches that will be in charge of teams at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for Women in Ankara.

Each will have to thank certain players for their commitment and hard work during weeks of training but then deliver the sometimes devastating news that they will not be in the final squad.

Russia boss Boris Sokolovskiy admitted while announcing his latest round of cuts that while necessary, it is always a painful process.

Now Gonzalez has to tell a couple of Puerto Rican players that they will miss out on the Centrobasket Women, and at the OQT.

"It will be a very difficult decision because there are four players fighting two positions and we must determine whether we go with six large and six small or five large and seven small," Gonzalez said.

The players thought to be on the hot seat are Deanna Ortiz, Cristina Centeno, Megan Vasquez and Angelica Bermudez.

Complicating the situation even further is that Michelle Pacheco, a member of the Pan American Games-winning side, could still join the team.

Pacheco is a physical education teacher that works in New York who is seeking the permission of her employers to rejoin the national team.

The versatile Pacheco would stand a very good chance of making the squad because she can play guard and forward positions.

"We have a difficult decision on our hands," Gonzalez said.

Puerto Rico recently won two of three games against the Netherlands national team in Europe following a two-game split with the Czech Republic.

They will play in Group A with Japan and Turkey at the OQT, where 12 teams are battling for five spots to the London Games.


FIBA