The short version
- El Vocero reported that Antonio Ralat is sidelined after surgery on his fifth metatarsal and is expected to return by February at the latest
- Coach Pedro González told El Vocero the team completed 22 practices and will distribute responsibilities among Luis Cuascut, Leandro Allende, Bryan González and Mike Bruesewitz
- WAPA reported Puerto Rico has won four consecutive AmeriCup medals including gold in San Juan in 2023
- The tournament runs Oct. 28-Nov. 1 in El Salvador with Puerto Rico facing Venezuela at 3:30 p.m. on Friday
Title defense begins without key player
Puerto Rico's men's 3x3 basketball team will open its campaign at the AmeriCup in El Salvador on Friday without star Antonio Ralat. El Vocero reported that Ralat underwent surgery after injuring his fifth metatarsal and is progressing in recovery but will not be available for the tournament that concludes on Nov. 1.
Coach Pedro González told El Vocero the absence forces the team to redistribute playing responsibilities but does not change the objective. "Llevamos unas 22 prácticas que nos ayudaron a buscar nuestra condición y las aspiraciones son las mismas, ganar el oro," González said. The roster consists of Luis Cuascut, Leandro Allende, Bryan González and Mike Bruesewitz. Puerto Rico debuts against Venezuela at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Also on PuertoRico.com: San Juan travel guide
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Llevamos unas 22 prácticas que nos ayudaron a buscar nuestra condición y las aspiraciones son las mismas, ganar el oro
Our translation: We have had about 22 practices that helped us get in condition and the aspirations are the same, to win gold
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Recent medal history and preparation
According to El Vocero, Puerto Rico has secured four consecutive medals at the AmeriCup. The team finished fourth in the 2021 inaugural edition in Miami, took silver in 2022 in the same city, won gold in San Juan in 2023, and earned silver again in San Juan in 2024 and in León, Mexico, in 2025. WAPA reported that the squad is seeking to regain the gold medal won in 2023.
González told El Vocero the team has learned from the previous final, particularly regarding excessive fouls that hindered intense defense. He acknowledged that 3x3 basketball has grown significantly across the Americas and the world, requiring greater effort to maintain Puerto Rico's level. The coach noted that the players' increased maturity is an advantage the team plans to use.
Where the sources differ
Both WAPA and El Vocero agree that Puerto Rico is seeking to regain the gold medal at the AmeriCup 3x3 in El Salvador and that the team won the title in San Juan in 2023. El Vocero provides extensive additional details including the full roster, exact debut time and opponent, Ralat's specific injury and recovery timeline, the coach's comments on 22 practices, lessons from the prior final, and the evolution of international 3x3 competition. WAPA mentions the consecutive four-medal streak and coach confidence in the group's preparation but does not name other players or give the debut schedule.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not indicate the full tournament schedule beyond the opening game, expected level of competition from specific rival teams, or whether any backup players were added to the roster in Ralat's place. They also do not state the exact venue in El Salvador or any broadcast or viewing arrangements for fans in Puerto Rico.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Puerto Rico busca el oro del AmeriCup 3x3 sin Antonio Ralat
- Reporting Puerto Rico busca el oro en el Americup 3x3 de baloncesto
How we checked this
El Vocero supplied the majority of the details on roster adjustments, the coach's direct quotes and historical context, while WAPA added a brief overview of the gold pursuit and consecutive medals. Information on the Milwaukee Brewers baseball championship and parade in the WAPA story was unrelated to the Puerto Rico basketball team and was not used.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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