BUENOS AIRES (FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2017) – Buenos Aires is finishing up details to host the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship 2017, and at the same time, Colombia is getting ready to participate in the continental championship.

During the first phase, the Colombian team will be part of Group B and will begin its participation in the competition against the powerhouse of the United States, on June 7. Colombia will then face Puerto Rico (June 8) and Mexico (June 9) during the group stage. Colombia will try to finish in the first two positions of the group to qualify for the Semi-Finals and the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup 2018.

"The team has been preparing for a long time, and has competed in 15 preparation games. We selected these 12 players, after analyzing and watching more than 49 players," said Colombia coach Guillermo Moreno.

United States will be Colombia's first rival, but the Colombian coach admits his team will feel no pressure during that game.

"Playing against the United States takes the pressure off us. We must enter to play our style and our type of game. The other games will then determine what we can do in this competition," Moreno said.

But for Moreno, playing in this competition is already a reason for celebration. "Being in this competition is already an achievement for our country. Now it's up to the girls to show their game and how far they can go. We have to do the best we can," concluded the coach.

The FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship will be played in Buenos Aires from June 7-11 and will qualify the top 4 teams to the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup 2018.

FIBA