AI didn't believe in Puerto Rico either

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You earn the respect by winning. That's the only thing you're gonna do

At least that's the story head coach Gerardo Batista was happy to share after Puerto Rico secured their place in the Final Phase of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 with an important win over Türkiye.

Before the tournament, Batista decided to ask ChatGPT a basketball trivia question: which countries competing in Berlin had also appeared at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as the last two Olympic Games in 2021 and 2024?

Puerto Rico, remarkably, ticked every box.

There was just one problem.

ChatGPT didn't include them.

"I went to ChatGPT. This is a true, true story," Batista smiled as he recalled the exchange.

When the coach challenged the answer and pointed out Puerto Rico's credentials, the mistake was acknowledged. But Batista had already found some extra motivation for his players.

"I said to them, 'ChatGPT doesn't believe in us,'" he revealed.

It was a funny story after a memorable victory, but behind the laughs was a much more serious message.

Puerto Rico believe they still don't receive the respect their achievements deserve.

And Batista's solution is simple: keep winning.

"You earn the respect by winning. That's the only thing you're gonna do," he said.

Puerto Rico keep proving they belong

The evidence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Puerto Rico have established themselves as regulars on the biggest stages of women's basketball, qualifying for consecutive Olympic Games and appearing at three straight Women's Basketball World Cups.

They also advanced from the Group Phase at the 2022 World Cup and have now done it again in Berlin.

This time, they booked their ticket to the Qualification to Quarter-Finals by taking down Türkiye, once again showing why overlooking Puerto Rico has become increasingly dangerous.

They may not possess the population or physical size of some of the traditional powers of the women's game, but Batista believes that is precisely what makes his team an example for others.

"We don't have that much population, we don't have that much height," he said. "But we are that example for everybody to work as hard as we have been working."

That attitude has become part of Puerto Rico's identity.

They know they can enter games as the underdogs. They know opponents may be expected to beat them. They also know none of that matters once the ball goes up.

"And it's not about looking good in defeats. It's trying to win, and that's what we're trying to do."

"We're gonna earn it"

For Trinity San Antonio, there is little point in worrying about whether Puerto Rico are receiving enough recognition from the outside.

Respect isn't something they intend to ask for.

It's something they intend to take care of on the court.

"At the end of the day, [Coach Batista] said it best in practice: 'We will never get the respect we deserve unless we earn it,'" San Antonio said.

"So each time we get out there, we're gonna go out there, and we're gonna earn it, and we're gonna show the world why Puerto Rico belongs."

They've already done plenty of that.

Another Olympic appearance. Another World Cup. Another trip beyond the Group Phase.

And now Puerto Rico's World Cup journey continues into the Qualification to Quarter-Finals.

Maybe the next time Batista asks ChatGPT about the teams that consistently find their way onto basketball's biggest stage, Puerto Rico won't need reminding.

But just in case, they'll keep earning the respect themselves.

"It's not about looking good in defeats. It's trying to win and that's what we're trying to do. So I'm so proud."

FIBA