Puerto Rico's national basketball team narrowly lost 75-72 to China in the 2026 World Cup in Germany, ending their bid to advance to the quarterfinals. Despite the defeat, the team is convinced they can compete with top basketball powers. Coach Jerry Batista and player Trinity San Antonio spoke to the press, highlighting the team's strong performance and the opportunities they missed.
Batista noted that to beat a team like China, they need to be almost perfect on both sides of the court. San Antonio had a standout game with 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. The team's close game against China, who are ranked fourth in the world, demonstrates their growth and potential.
This was the closest Puerto Rico has come to beating China, with previous losses by at least 15 points. The team is looking to build on this performance and take their skills to the next level.