China among eight seeds for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 draw

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Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic claimed the last two tickets to the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

The last time the Puerto Ricans did not reach the biggest international tournament in the sport was way back in 1982, and they were not about to blow that record in front of their home fans when they faced Uruguay.

The visitors began well as they led 19-9 at the end of the first quarter. But Puerto Rico came back in the second quarter as John Holland led their side to turn the table. Puerto Rico finally secured the 65-61 victory and qualify by finishing in third place in the Americas Group E.

In Group F, the Dominican Republic faced Brazil for the last qualification spot. Nineteen-year-old Didi Louzada's amazing performances at the second half gave Brazil a 71-63 victory, but the Dominicans claimed the last spot thanks to Puerto Rico's victory.

Montenegro hosted Latvia to decide the last remaining European spot for the tournament. Holding a nine-point advantage from the first meeting in Riga, Montenegro successfully secured their first-ever World Cup appearance which would make the nation of just over 600,000 people the smallest to ever qualify for the tournament.

Now the 32 teams are set for this summer's FIBA World Cup in China.

Tournament hosts: China

Africa (5): Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia

Americas (7): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela

Asia (7): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, New Zealand, Philippines

Europe (12): Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey

FIBA have since updated the world ranking, confirming eight seeds for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 draw. China will join the United States, Spain, France, Serbia, Argentina, Lithuania and Greece in the seeded teams.

The draw will take place in Shenzhen, one of the competition's eight host cities on March 16. The event will be headlined by American singer/songwriter Jason Derulo and World Cup ambassadors Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming.