Panama Basketball Coach Nelson Colón Pleased with New Team Start

The Panama national basketball team, led by Puerto Rican coach Nelson Colón, has begun its preparation for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas qualifiers. Colón expressed satisfaction with the start of his tenure at the helm of the Panamanian squad, noting that the players have quickly assimilated the new identity he aims to implement. He emphasized that the team will exploit its strengths without revealing tactical details, as other teams are closely monitoring their statements. "We know it's a physical team that pushes the ball and takes early shots. We provide guidance on how we can achieve collective success," the coach added. Colón urged the team to focus on the upcoming match against Cuba, highlighting that their current record is 0-2 and they need their first victory. He rated the team's current level at 7 out of 10, as the players understand his strategies. Meanwhile, he confirmed the return of key players like Ernesto Oglivie and Iverson Molinar, but stated that Akil Michel will be unavailable due to injury, while Ricky Lindo Jr.'s status is still under evaluation. Colón's debut as Panama's head coach will be at the Arena Roberto Durán in Panama City this Friday.