Puerto Rico cast the net wide under veteran play-caller Jerry Batista

SAN JUAN (FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018) – Puerto Rico could offer as many as 24 players the chance to make history by being part of their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup debut.

The first-timers will be overseen by veteran play-caller Gerardo ‘Jerry’ Batista and he as been explaining how he is determined to get the most from his squad as a busy schedule comes into focus.

Puerto Rico have CentroBasket and the Central American and Caribbean Games to handle before they head to Tenerife for the biggest event in their history – although the other tournaments are likely to serve as productive preparation.

"We already made the calls [to the players] but we are still in that process of them confirming if they are available," Batista explained to El Vocero.

"I would like to have the opportunity at some point to gather the talent we have. I am a little disappointed by the circumstances [of some players], although it does not depend on us, but on the girls. If we could gather all the talent, then we would be very solid.”

Among the players who are already confirmed are the veteran core of Pamela Rosado, Dayshalee Salama, Michelle González and Mari Placido - as well as Ashley Santos, Sofia Roma, Claudia Ortiz, Isalys Quinones, India Pagan and Anushka Maldonado.

Batista is still sweating on one of his main stars in Carla Cortijo, who is invited but has not yet confirmed her participation. Meanwhile, WNBA player Jazmon Gwathmey will report prior to the start of the action in Spain.

He is also keen to lock down the services of Allison Gibson who made the All-Star Five at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2017  - along with Ashley Perez, Jennifer O'Neill, Tayra Melendez, Yolanda Jones and NCAA due Sabrina Lozada and Paris Strawther.

Puerto Rico will face fellow debutants Belgium, along with Asia champions Japan and hosts Spain during the opening phase.

FIBA