Iran Is Direct Opponent in FIBA World Cup, Puerto Rico Guard Says
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Puerto Rico guard Gian Clavell says Iran is their direct opponent for a spot in the next round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Puerto Rico's quest to advance through Group C in Guangzhou starts with a showdown against Iran on August 31 with the other two games coming against Spain and Tunisia.
"We have to start the competition the best way, and we are going to be 100 percent ready for this first game, which is a very, very important one for us," said Clavell, who will be playing in his first World Cup. "If you start winning in a competition like this, you gain confidence and you are in a positive dynamic, which is very helpful."
Most observers assume that Spain will win the group - or at the very least grab one of the two berths in the second group phase. That makes Puerto Rico's opener against Iran all the more important.
"Iran is a direct opponent for a spot in the next round, and we want to win as many games as we can to get into the first two spots of the group," Clavell said in an interview with FIBA.basketball.
"We know that the battle for the first two spots is going to be intense, but we are going to be ready to fight for it. We don't want to go to China and go back home after a week of competition.
“We want to put all of our energy for this jersey, for our people, and have a good run to make them proud of us. We are going to China to represent Puerto Rico, the people, the island and all the fellow compatriots who live around the world, the best way," he added.
