AFTER Jamaica missed the opportunity to book their spot in the final round of FIBA World Cup Qualifying on Thursday, guard Chase Audige says the team is determined to make things right in front of their home crowd against Canada today.

The national men’s team take on world powerhouse Canada at the National Indoor Sports Centre, for their final home game in group-stage play of the Americas Qualifiers at 6:00 p.m.

Jamaica is looking to bounce back from a 99-96 defeat to The Bahamas which saw them give up a nine-point lead late in the game. It was the team’s first loss in qualifying after beating Puerto Rico twice at the end of 2025.

They remain second in Group B on five points but are now a point behind leaders and already-qualified Canada, on six; one ahead of The Bahamas on four; and two clear of fourth-placed Puerto Rico, with three games to go and only the top three advancing to the final round.

While today’s contest isn’t a must-win, it would ease the pressure on Jamaica who would need to win one of their final two return fixtures against The Bahamas and Canada in July to make the next round.

Audige, who registered 27 points on Thursday, says the team must make improvements if they are to surprise the unbeaten Canadians.

“We just had to regroup,” he said. “Film is a powerful tool — watching the game over; seeing where we went wrong on defence, with our energy, with things that we can control. And we’ve just got to take it upon ourselves and not point fingers, and point the finger back at ourselves, and take accountability and just be better.

Jamaica centre Kofi Cockbourn (left) tries to outmatch forward Tavario Miller of The Bahamas during the FIBA World Cup Qualifier at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

“We came here to win. We all left from wherever we were at to come here, and we just got to figure out how to do it.”

Another large crowd is expected for today’s game, after Thursday’s packed house at the National Indoor Sports Centre which marked the first time a major international basketball tournament was being held in Jamaica.

Audige says the players plan to put on a better showing, after being overwhelmed by the home support.

“I think it was amazing, honestly, for all these people to come,” he said. “Everybody was fighting for tickets to try to get people to come in; they were active from the warm-ups to the game. And honestly, it’s a disappointing feeling as a player because so many people came and showed up from all over to come and [yet] we weren’t able to get it done. It’s tough, but thankfully we have another opportunity on Sunday.”

Head Coach Rick Turner is also hoping the players can repay the faith of the local fans.

“I don’t know necessarily how to stay connected to the people other than to tell them to keep believing in us,” he said. “We’ve put ourselves in a really great position — we’re 2-1 in the pool, we’ve got three more games, we’re one win away from advancing to the next round of qualifying.

“I’ve coached basketball for a long time; we’ve lost games before. I wanted to connect with the people; I didn’t want their first taste to be bitter, and I hope it wasn’t. I hope they had a good time. The game was an entertaining game so I hope they come out on Sunday and let us try to prove ourselves again and just believe that it can happen, and it will.”

Turner is expected to field the same line-up that he used against The Bahamas, with guards Audige and Andrew Thelwell; Romaine Thomas and Captain Kentan Facey at forward; and Kofi Cockburn at centre.