"Despite both Canada and Puerto Rico having already clinched a 2025 AmeriCup quarterfinals berth, there was still plenty of incentive for the SMNT to win their final Group B contest. With the way the rest of the tournament was shaking out (including the USA suffering an upset loss to Uruguay), Canada had a chance to clinch the top seed heading to the knockout stages, and all but guarantee a quarterfinals matchup against the lowest seeded, Colombia."
"Coming into the game, while Jose Alvarado was the NBA headliner, my biggest concern was Puerto Rico's big man duo of George Condit IV (a EuroCup experienced C) and Ismael Romero, who are a physical, skilled tandem that are difficult to contain inside the paint. Heading into the matchup against Canada, the two bigs were Puerto Rico's leading scorers averaging 17.0 and 14.0 PPG respectively on 70%+ 2PT FG%."
Canada entered the final Group B game with a chance to secure the top overall seed in the 2025 AmeriCup quarterfinals, which likely would pit them against low-seeded Colombia. The Dominican Republic's 74-70 win over Nicaragua left them 3-0 with a +30 point differential, increasing the importance of a Canadian victory. Puerto Rico relied heavily on big men George Conditt IV and Ismael Romero, who averaged 17.0 and 14.0 PPG on 70%+ 2PT shooting and dominated rebounding and shot-blocking. Canada matched physicality with interior defenders Mfiondu Kabengele, Thomas Kennedy, and Charles Bediako, forcing Jose Alvarado into push shots despite losing the offensive-rebound battle by five.
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