SAN JUAN (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) – Puerto Rico may look like rank outsiders going into next month’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Ankara, but the coach and the players sure don’t see it that way.
After finishing fifth at the FIBA Americas Championship last year, Puerto Rico travelled to Mexico and made headlines over the world by capturing the Pan American Games title.
In the Semi-Finals, they stunned favorites Brazil – the team that had won the FIBA Americas Championship – 69-68, and then thrashed Mexico in the title game.
When Cuba and Senegal decided not to take up their spots for the OQT, Puerto Rico were among the sides to jump at the chance of doing so.
"We cannot settle for gold at the Pan American Games," Puerto Rico coach Omar Gonzalez said.
"We know we have to step up our level and that we have never played at this level in Puerto Rico, that is why we are preparing well."
Gonzalez is really pushing his players hard in training, with three sessions in one day not uncommon.
"I can tell you there are more prima donnas in the men's team that on this team,” he said.
"These girls are fighters.
“They train hard and they don't complain.”
Even with the right attitude, and the hard work, Puerto Rico will still be deemed underdogs when they travel to Turkey to face the host nation and Japan in Group A.
"Perhaps we don't have the height or the strength that other teams have,” Gonzalez said, “but I am certain about our team.
“I believe that playing as a team will allow us to have an advantage over others.
"I'm not going there thinking that we will finish fourth or fifth.
“We will try to win the Pre-Olympic tournament.
“That is the attitude we will take with us."
Five Olympic places are up for grabs in Ankara.
If Puerto Rico win one of their first two games, they will take on Argentina, the Czech Republic or New Zealand in a Quarter-Final and a victory in that game would put them in London. Should the Puerto Ricans not win that game, they would still have a chance to claim the fifth and final place for London.
Puerto Rico will play in the Czech Republic on 24 May and Holland on 3 June before travelling to France, 20-21 June.
Puerto Rico preliminary squad for FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for Women: Angélica Bermúdez, Esmary Vargas, Carla Escalera, Mari Plácido, Angiely Morales, Cristina Centeno, Francés Flores, Jennifer O'Neill, Megan Vásquez, Pamela Rosado, Carla Cortijo, Deanna Ortiz, Gileysa Penzo, Natalia Díaz, Kiara Quiñones, Krystal Luciano and Claudia Ortiz.
