Argentina Pulls Away in the Third Quarter, Beats Puerto Rico 89-75 to Open Second Round of 2027 World Cup Qualifying
Puerto Rico hung on for a half, but the old rival from the south prevailed once again. The National Team fell 89-75 to Argentina on Thursday night at the Polideportivo Islas Malvinas in Mar del Plata, in the opening game of the second round of the FIBA Americas qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup 12. A 21-12 third quarter by the hosts broke open a game that stood 43-42 at halftime and left the National Team at 2-5 in Group F, with their backs against the wall heading into Monday's clash against Uruguay in Montevideo 123.
The game opened the fourth FIBA window and marked José Alvarado's return to the Puerto Rico uniform. The point guard answered with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists as Puerto Rico's top scorer, but his effort was not enough against Argentina's collective play 1. The squad led by Carlos González arrived in Mar del Plata with only a few days of preparation and ran into an Argentina side that, under Pablo Prigioni, looks like one of the most solid teams in the continent 13.
The first half was a toe-to-toe battle in front of 5,862 fans 2. Argentina took the first quarter 25-21, but Puerto Rico answered with a 21-18 second period to head into the locker room down by the minimum, 43-42 12. Everything came apart in the third: the Puerto Rican offense stalled at 12 points, the Argentines stretched the lead to double digits (61-51) and closed the frame up 64-54 12. There was one last gasp when five straight points from Alfonso Plummer cut the score to 71-65 in the final quarter, but Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck and Leandro Bolmaro answered with consecutive baskets to seal the 89-75 1.
The numbers from the game:
- Argentina: Deck finished with a game-high 23 points, Bolmaro added 19 with four rebounds and four assists, and Campazzo posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists along with five steals 1.
- Puerto Rico: Alvarado scored 19, while Ethan Thompson and Isaiah Piñeiro added 13 apiece 1.
- Turnovers were the killer: Puerto Rico gave the ball away 17 times and Argentina turned those mistakes into 21 points 3.
- At the line, the National Team sank to 13 of 24 (54.2%), including a 2-for-8 night from Ysmael Romero; Argentina shot 70% on free throws 23.
- From three, Argentina hit 10 of 29 and Puerto Rico 8 of 21 23.
- Group F: Canada leads at 7-0, followed by Argentina (6-1), Uruguay (5-2), Bahamas (3-4), and Puerto Rico and Panama tied at the bottom at 2-5 13.
"We were slowing down our own rhythm," González summed up after the game. "We turned the ball over, we allowed 21 points off turnovers. Too many. It did not let us find our offensive rhythm" 3. Alvarado was just as blunt: "We made a lot of unnecessary mistakes. We missed 11 free throws. We have to execute better" 3.
What it means for you
The top three teams in each group, plus the best fourth-place finisher across both groups, qualify for the 2027 World Cup 3. At 2-5 with five games left, Puerto Rico is still breathing, but no longer controls its own destiny: it needs a winning streak plus favorable results elsewhere in the standings. Monday's showdown against Uruguay (5-2) is practically do-or-die; a loss would leave the National Team three games behind third place with only four to play. If you follow Puerto Rican basketball, this Monday is the game you cannot miss.
How to do it / Checklist
- Mark the date: Monday, August 31, 2026, Puerto Rico visits Uruguay at the Antel Arena in Montevideo 34.
- The time: 7:00 p.m., Puerto Rico time 4.
- On television: Wapa Deportes carries the game live 4.
- Online: go to wapa.tv/envivo/deportes from your phone or computer 4.
- For the official box score and updated standings, visit fiba.basketball 2.
What's next
Puerto Rico travels from Mar del Plata to Montevideo to close out the window on Monday against Uruguay, currently third at 5-2 34. After that, two qualifying windows remain to complete the Group F schedule, where Canada is defending a 7-0 unbeaten run 13. Every result counts: the best fourth-place team also goes to the World Cup, so even games involving direct rivals like Panama and the Bahamas will shuffle the table Puerto Rico needs to climb 3. For coach González, the recipe is clear: protect the ball, execute at the line, and never again give away a third quarter like Thursday's 3.
Sources
- El Nuevo Día — Puerto Rico falls in Argentina to open the second qualifying phase for the 2027 World Cup
- FIBA.basketball — Argentina vs Puerto Rico, official box score (Group F, second round)
- El Nuevo Día — "We were slowing down our own rhythm": Puerto Rico was the victim of its own mistakes in the loss in Argentina
- Wapa.tv — Puerto Rico to face Argentina in the fourth qualifying window for the 2027 FIBA World Cup
Sources
Reported by the CoquiList Newsroom · Facts backed by the sources cited above
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