MALAGA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Spain center Fran Vazquez was moved to tears as he talked about the opportunity he'd had on Sunday  to play basketball for his country in front of his young son, Aitor.

The six-year-old was in the stands in Malaga and watched Vazquez help the national team beat Belarus, 80-60. It was their sixth triumph in as many World Cup Qualifiers and put the Spaniards closer to a spot in next year's 32-team tournament in China.

Vazquez had represented Spain before the Qualifiers, but not since the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 in Turkey. When coach Sergio Scariolo asked if he wanted to play in the games against Montenegro and Slovenia in November, Vazquez jumped at the chance.

"I leave things open," he said. "You always get emotional due to the opportunity that Sergio gave me to return. We've spoken a lot, we know each other from previous years."

He then referred to his son being in the stands and began to cry.

"I get emotional to see the capacity of a six-year-old that can help you," Vazquez said.

Scariolo, who sat beside Vazquez at the press conference, leaned over and smiled before saying into his microphone that his player was having tears of joy.

"He's happy," the veteran coach said.

Vazquez with his son Aitor

 Vazquez, with Scariolo patting him on the back, talked more about playing for Spain.

"It helps a lot," he said. "Even before this, I had the opportunity to return (to the team). There are decisions that you take and at some point, you regret those. I'm very happy for Sergio reaching out to me. I've enjoyed it a lot.

"There have been highs and lows this week, a lot of pressure today. I've dealt with it and I've had fun."

"I'M VERY HAPPY FOR SERGIO REACHING OUT TO ME. I'VE ENJOYED IT (THE QUALIFIERS) A LOT. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAMMATES BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER GOOD WINDOW."Vazquez

 Vazquez, 35, also spoke of the possibility that he will be in the squad for the September window, when the Second Round of Qualifiers get underway.

"I don't close any door," he said. "I'm there. We all have to help out...I've shown my commitment since the start. I've enjoyed it like any other. I thank my teammates."

The Qualifiers have provided a significant boost to Spain's national team program, allowing 17 players to make their debuts.

The team's wins over Slovenia in Ljubljana and Belarus in Malaga were impressive. Altogether, Scariolo's charges have beaten Montenegro, Slovenia and Belarus twice each in the Qualifiers with eyebrow-raising performances.

"We thank you for the trust you have placed in all of the players," Vazquez said, referring to Scariolo. "No one believed what we've achieved. Early on, people spoke a lot and said a lot of things and that was good but we left that to one side.

"We saw it in our first four games and we followed that dynamic in the last two games. It's been easy. We knew it was a week to work, a week where we had to put all of our senses on this to achieve our aim. We all know Sergio, he gives confidence and knows what he wants from each player. We just had to get on with it.

"I want to thank my teammates because it has been another good window."

FIBA