‘I think we can pull it off’

When the JamRockerz take to the court today at the National Indoor Sports Centre against Bahamas in the second window of the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers, Jamaica Basketball Association President Paulton Gordon is confident Jamaica will secure a historic win.

Jamaica will play Bahamas today in their third match of World Cup Qualifiers at home, with tip off set for 6 p.m., before taking on Canada on Sunday, March 1 at 6:10 p.m.

It will be the first time the island will be hosting World Cup Qualifiers on home soil, having made their debut away against Puerto Rico last year.

The JamRockerz stunned many when they pulled off back-to-back wins against Puerto Rico to open the first window with a perfect record.

Gordon is confident the team can continue their positive run when they take on Bahamas and Canada in the second window.

“I am expecting a victory over Bahamas, and the Canada game is going to be a really tough tough game, but with the quality we have and the motivation we have, I think we can pull it off,” the JaBA president said ahead of the first game.

He said the team will not only be motivated by creating history, but will be especially motivated by having their friends and families watch them play.

With this being the island’s first World Cup Qualifiers in Jamaica, Gordon said this presents a prime opportunity for the players to play in front of their loved ones on home soil.

“We expect a very good performance from them because they want to represent well, and a lot of them are playing in front of their families and friends in Jamaica,” Gordon explained.

“Many of them would have left Jamaica years ago to go to colleges overseas and playing professionally, so they’d really want to put on a good performance.”

Gordon is also expecting strong home support for the team, saying this is a huge opportunity, not just for the association, but for the island as well.

He explained that while sports fans have been treated to world-class sporting events in track and field and football, this is a new opportunity to see the national team compete at the global stage in basketball.

He said the wins against Puerto Rico will only add to the excitement surrounding the two games.

“It’s not only huge for Jamaica Basketball, this is huge for Jamaica overall. We’re accustomed to world-class activities in track and field and football but for the first ever, we’re playing the basketball World Cup qualifiers.

“And this is coming off the back of us beating Puerto Rico twice in Puerto Rico, so the energy is there and we’re hoping for a full house.”

Gordon said the coaching staff, led by head coach Rick Turner, has been extremely busy preparing for the games, and the players are ready to take to the court.

Jamaica sit second in Group B of the FIBA Americas Qualifiers with four points, behind leaders Canada and ahead of Puerto Rico and Bahamas.

The top three teams from the group will advance to the second round of the Americas Qualifiers, where they will be placed in two groups of six.

From the two groups, the top three teams will qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, while two fourth-placed teams will playoff for the final World Cup spot.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com