PUR - Money issues delay Puerto Rico departure for Japan

GUAYNABO (FIBA World Championship) – Puerto Rico will arrive in Japan just three days before the start of the FIBA World Championship after the country`s basketball federation (FBPR) postponed the squad`s flight to Asia for financial reasons.

The party was due to fly out on Saturday and arrive on Monday but will now reach its destination on Wednesday - just 72 hours to prepare ahead of the start of the tournament.

“We received a note from the World Championship's organising committee, which said it would be able to support us with our expenses from Wednesday,” said FBPR general director Salvi Vilella.

If the squad had arrived on Monday, the FBPR would have had to shell out two days` worth of expenses out of its own pocket.

“It would have cost us $35,000 (£18,400). So we immediately decided to cancel the flight,” Vilella added.

“The team will continue working here, at Guaynabo. We could maybe play a friendly.”

Head coach Julio Toro said: “It would have been ideal to fly out today (Saturday), but we will have to wait.

“We will work here and the players will be able to stay with their parents during the weekend.”

The FBPR want Puerto Rico to play Argentina on August 18 - one day before the World Championship begins - but the South Americans have not replied to the request as they are still in Singapore competing in a warm-up tournament.

Puerto Rico are in Group D in Japan, alongside China, Italy, Senegal, Slovenia and USA.

By PA Sport
Exclusively for FIBA