Argentina’s Marcos Mata is hoping that his performances in the South American Basketball Championship can convince coach Julio Lamas that he belongs in the squad for the FIBA World Cup, starting August 30.
Mata, who only played in three games of cameo minutes at the world championship in 2010 and four games at the London 2012 Olympics, has expressed a desire to be with the team that travels to Spain in under a month’s time.
But first, Mata must concentrate on the South American Championship.
“Right now, my primary focus is on the South American [Championship] in Venezuela and then it’s Julio who will decide,” Mata said to FIBA.com
“For the time being, I have faith and I’m very anxious to be a part of the World Cup team.”
Argentina right now are sweating on the fitness of both Manu Ginobili [foot] and Carlos Delfino [foot] but Mata believes that even without their two star players, Argentina are full of optimism ahead of the World Cup.
“We hope that all the players will be able to come,” said Mata.
“We have a good team on paper and I believe that if all the players are available, we have a team that can compete and the team will certainly have a lot of enthusiasm to do well.”
Coach Lamas has already named eight players that will travel to Spain with Facundo Campazzo, Delfino, Ginobili, Leo Gutierrez, Walter Herrman, Andres Nocioni, Pablo Prigioni and Luis Scola in the team.
Argentina will play their opening Group B games in Seville against Puerto Rico, Greece, Senegal, Philippines and Croatia.
