Puerto Rico’s men’s and women’s national 3x3 basketball teams are in El Salvador for the FIBA Americup 3x3. On Friday afternoon the men’s team beat Venezuela 21-17 and next faces Brazil at 9:20 PM. The women play Paraguay and Argentina on Saturday, October 31. The men’s national team has won medals in the past four editions of the event.
This time it will be without star point guard Antonio Ralat, who is recovering from an injury suffered during the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) finals. The squad is made up of Luis Cuascut, Leandro Allende, Bryan González and Mike Bruesewitz. Robert Cañada, director of the basketball federation’s 3x3 program, told Metro Puerto Rico that expectations are always to reach the medal stand: Bryan González is a great scorer and Mike Bruesewitz was added, and although the group with Venezuela and Brazil is strong, the players are ready for the battle.
The women’s team mixes youth, experience and offensive potential, with a slight height disadvantage against the tournament favorites. Cañada said the BSNF tournament being played simultaneously reduced the available players, so experienced ones were needed; Ashley and Villarini have been used as defensive weapons on their teams and will help against opposing guards.