Puerto Rico savor their first victory of the tournament against Philippines - the winning team came into the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup wishful thinking that they will have good chances of reaching the knockout stage from Group B. That includes a solid all-around team, great experience and a back court. Yet, after a series of injuries, JJ Barea was like a soldier carrying an entire battalion of wounded warriors on his back in leading Puerto Rico to their first victory of the tournament against Philippines. 

Barea shouldered a big load in the game as star Carlos Arroyo and fellow starter Angel Vassallo missed their second straight games with injuries. Arroyo went to local hospital during the first half of the game for an MRI on his right ankle. The team did not know the results of the examination after the game. 

"I was going to die out there before I would lose. I could see in my teammates' and coaches' eyes that they were fighting with me. Every followed me," he said.

"I don't usually single out my players but I want to mention Barea. He led us in scoring but also at the hotel as a leader," said Puerto Rico coach Paco Olmos.

He added that the team knew of the magnitude of the game.
"We were quite aware the purpose of the game was to stay alive. We were keenly aware that it was a knockout game. We had had problems staying focused in games but we did a better job of that tonight," said Olmos.
Puerto Rico will take on Croatia in their final Group B contest on Thursday and know they absolutely need a victory to have any chance of reaching the knockout stage.

But first, Olmos said his team needs to rest.
"This effort took a lot out of them. We hope we still have a chance (to advance) in the final game against Croatia," he said.

(Source: 2014 FIBA Official Website)