Jamaica’s national basketball squad, the ‘Jamrockers,’ has achieved a monumental victory in the FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers, defeating Puerto Rico 97-92 on their home court in San Juan. This triumph marks their second consecutive win in Group B, propelling them to a joint top position with tournament favorites Canada, both teams holding four points.
The game was a showcase of exceptional teamwork and individual talent. Chase Audige led the scoring with 20 points, supported by Romaine Thomas’s 18 points and a dominant double-double from Kofi Cockburn, who contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds. Team captain Kentan Facey, adding 9 points and 10 rebounds, emphasized that the team’s cohesion was the cornerstone of their success against a highly favored Puerto Rican team.
Beyond the court, the victory carries profound significance for a nation recently battered by Hurricane Melissa. Facey, hailing from the impacted parish of Trelawny, stated the team was driven by a desire to provide a positive rallying point for Jamaicans. He highlighted the win as proof of basketball’s growing validity and potential to put Jamaica on the global sports map.
With four critical games remaining in the qualifiers, Head Coach Rick Turner acknowledged the historic start but cautioned against complacency. He stressed that the primary objective remains advancing from what he described as ‘the toughest pool in the tournament.’ The team’s immediate focus is on their upcoming fixtures against the Bahamas on February 26 and a pivotal clash with Canada on March 1. Two more victories would secure Jamaica a spot in the next round, edging them closer to qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.