The 1980s were very good for the team, attaining gold at two of the first four FIBA Americas Championships in 19, and at the 1985, 19 CentroBasket tournaments. In all, Puerto Rico continued its regional success and was able to medal in all regional competitions.
These achievements were accompanied by golds at the 1973 CentroBasket and the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games. The 4–3 showing in 1978 in the Philippines was the first time ever the team finished with a positive record at a World Championship. The 7th and 10th places at the 19 World Championships, where the team, led by Hector Blondet and Rubén Rodríguez respectively, saw 2–5 and 4–3 finishes, became turning points for the Puerto Rican team. Also, the 1974 World Championship and the 1979 Pan American Games were held in San Juan, promoting local enthusiasm for international basketball and Puerto Rico's presence in it. The 1970s brought some memorable moments for the team, particularly a dramatic one-point loss to the United States at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, where a win by Puerto Rico would have been the first undisputed basketball loss for the United States team at an Olympic competition. The medal count included two golds at the 1962 and the 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games, failing to medal only at the 1967 Pan American Games, where it finished 5th. Three years later in Uruguay, at the 1967 World Championship, the team, led this time by Raymond Dalmau, was only able to finish 12th, ending the decade with a 9th place at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.īefore the 1970s, regardless of the non-remarkable performance at world international tournaments, Puerto Rico started to emerge as a power player at regional tournaments, medaling in all the competitions it participated (the Pan American Games, the CentroBasket tournament and the Central American and Caribbean Games). This was, and still is as of 2016, the highest place it has ever reached since the team's birth at any Olympic Games. Yet, after losing other six games back to back, ended its participation with a win over Italy, obtaining the 6th place.Ĭoming back from its 13th place debut at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, in 1964 in Tokyo, the team was able to reach 4th place, in good part because of the contributions of point guard Juan Vicéns. In 1963, at Puerto Rico's second World Championship appearance which took place in Brazil, the team, led by Rafael Valle and Juan Vicéns, opened the tournament winning two straight games. Puerto Rico's first appearance at a World Championship was in 1959 in Chile, where, led by Juan Vicéns, who averaged 22 points per game, the team finished 5th with a record of 3–6. Puerto Rico has participated in nine Olympics and 12 World Championships, although they have never won a medal at either competition.
The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation joined FIBA in 1957. 3.12 Record against other teams at the World Cup.3.10 Marchand Continental Championship Cup.3.9 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.3.6 Central American and Caribbean Games.
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