Puerto Rico

[X-lucidity]

All, kids are finally old enough we can leave 'em at home and travel a bit more. 98% sure the wife & I will be heading to PR for this Nov's X tourney. Tickets go on sale tomorrow through the Clemente Coliseo. Does anyone know if X will have a certain section where most fans will be centered? (would love to buy my tickets near that grouping). Hope to see many of my MM board brothers and sisters down there.

[X-lucidity]

Bueller? Anyone? But seriously, if no one knows what section X fans might favor, does anyone have a link to the X Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic info site? (I have tried roaming the net and can't find anything other than Xavier's announcement of the brackets - although I have never been much of an accomplished web surfer) Thx

[Shadow]

FWIW http://espnevents.com/puerto-rico-tip-off/

[commish118]

I have not been to the Classic but we have been to Puerto Rico. The packages they have are for the Hilton which is in new downtown San Juan, but I don't believe they have a beach. We stayed at Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort and I highly recommend it!!! There is a great view and a long beautiful beach, and it is not crowded. It is only a 20 minute cab ride to old San Juan, and cabs are cheap. You don't need a rental unless you want to tour the island. If I went, and we are not going this year, I would stay at the Marriott.

[X-lucidity]

Many thanks Shadow & Commish. My wife found a site that advertises one room studios near the beach. We booked one that had great reviews just ten minutes from the Clemente Coliseo and with an ocean view for $89 a night. We can always hang out in the X hotel lobby, wherever that turns out to be. OK, guess we will just buy some good seats as we can always move over to the X section if there is one.
Maybe keep this thread going for those of you on this board that are planning to go. Let's communicate and possibly have a beer down there. My wife Theresa is terrific, but I will be needing to find some kindred spirits to discuss players, x's & o's as she tires of that in about 7 minutes......

[thecoach]

You want to stay in Condado(Caribe Hilton, Sjuan Marriot, Conch, Vanderbilt, etc). Beach and plenty of places to walk to. About a 10 or 15 cab ride to Coliseuo. Those games are not crowded enough to worry about where you are sitting. You can usually sit with whomever you want. Dont stay downtown(Hato rey) where the games are. Isla verde closer to the airport, but not as safe or as many bars and rest. Condado is in between the airport and the old city so it's pretty centrally located and your safest and most entertainment(walking) options.

[skyking]

I have never been to Puerto Rico and this sounds like the perfect opportunity. Anyone who has been to past tournaments please offer any advice. We're going!

[MOSQUETERO]

Puerto Rico is always a blast. Things have changed considerably, and not necessarily for the best, in recent years. Like most of these Thanksgiving tournaments people normally move down to midcourt once the previous game has ended. Seats and tickets have never been a problem and take into account Xavier was in this tournament with Kentucky when they played at American University in Bayamon in 1998. This was undoubtedly a very small venue in comparison to the Choliseo where the tournament was held in 2009. The Roberto Clemente coliseum is located next to the Hiram Bithorn stadium and across the street from Plaza Las Americas which is a very large mall. As far as lodging I would highly consider and suggest the Marriot Courtyard in Miramar. It is walking distance to the Condado beach and , most importantly, it is on the bus line for those who want to visit Old San Juan. I stayed there last March and even though I rented a car you can get around through the bus line. There are all kinds of restaurants on the strip where the hotel is located. There is a Peruvian restaurant, an Argentinean pizza joint, a local creole restaurant, a Pueblo supermarket and all within a short walking distance from the Courtyard. So those of you who are going I hope to see you.

Gino -XU '89

[X-lucidity]

Terrific Mosquetero. Will reach out when down there. Would be cool to have a mini MM convention in the PR.

[XBball Fanatic]

When we went in 2008, I purchased tickets in advance and bought the more expensive seats only to learn once there that this was a waste of money. So purchase the cheap seats because as previously stated you can sit just about anywhere and there are not a lot of people there to begin with. Hope to see you there.