Rose optimistic of Guyana’s chances against Nicaragua

“This is a statement game, we have to win,” says Rose

By Timothy Jaikarran

The Guyana National Basketball side will face off against Nicaragua in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers today at 21:00 hrs in El Salvador. The qualifiers will take place at the José Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium.
The team is captained by Stanton Rose Jr and is co- captained by Delroy James. While the team consists of experienced players, it is also balanced out nicely with young talent. In a sit down with this publication, captain Stanton Rose Jr gave a brief insight into how the team is planning to take on its counterparts.

Rose said, “We are preparing to play. I have been doing my research to see the players and get familiar with some of the names. They (Nicaragua) don’t have a full roster of players that play together. What they have are clippings of them playing for different clubs. I have been speaking to Anthony Moe, who has been giving me tips as he has played over here.
“The team is doing okay. We had a great practice session last night. Everybody was in sync and is ready to work. The team is coming along. Before, we weren’t where we wanted to be, but it would seem that upon our arrival everyone is turning up the heat and taking things up a notch and is locked in.”
Rose also said he is very confident in his team, as everyone wants to play defense and put the ball in the basket. He noted that while there is a tad more work to be done on the defense, the team is ready and he is confident of the outcome.

“The atmosphere is kind of like Guyana. It’s hot, we’ve been expecting it. After we were in the gym last night, we realized how hot it was, and we know that we will take full advantage of that. The team needs to play a well-balanced offense and defense, and we need to bring that energy and beat Nicaragua. This is a statement game, so we have to beat them.”
If Guyana is to fall within the top three (3) teams, it would advance to the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 – Americas Pre-Qualifiers in July 2021.
After the Nicaragua matchup, the Guyanese side would face off against Jamaica tomorrow at 18:00 hrs, and then El Salvador (21:00 hrs) and Costa Rica (18:00 hrs) on April 17-18.
All Guyana’s games will be broadcasted via the E-Networks’ E1 Channel.