Ismael Romero showed the way as Puerto Rico broke through in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers following a 71-66 victory over the Bahamas at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Saturday night.
Meralco’s import in the upcoming PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds to help his side barge into the win column after starting the Qualifiers with three consecutive defeats.
He was part of the first five that put together a strong start for the home team, in which they built a 22-11 lead at the end of the opening period.
The bruising big man would then provide the necessary stabilizing presence in the final period in the midst of the visitors’ fightback, scoring eight points that included the shot from point-blank for the 69-58 lead with 2:22 left.
Chris Ortiz, himself a former PBA import with Blackwater, backed up Romero with 12 points as a total of 10 players scored at least two in the triumph.
Having improved to 1-3 following the crucial win, Team Puerto Rico has fanned their hopes of advancing to the Second Round, which, needless to say, is crucial in their hopes of reaching the World Cup for the 16th time.
Following the victory, Romero has emerged as the squad’s new top scorer with 18.0 points as he proved to be the shot in the arm that the men’s team needed in resuscitating their bid after missing him in the first window last November.
Although he didn’t get the welcome he wanted after bowing to Canada last Thursday at home as well, the veteran internationalist–who’s been with the program since 2012–contributed solidly with 16 points and eight rebounds.
