MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Some teams were not at full strength during November's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers, but you wouldn't have known it judging from the performances of others who stepped up in a big way.

Here are some players that filled the void and proved they truly have something to offer to their national teams in the difficult moments.

June Mar Fajardo, Philippines

Fajardo shone for Gilas in World Cup Qualifiers wins over Japan and Chinese Taipei

With Andray Blatche short of practice time before the qualifiers, Fajardo brought size and a mixture of calm, and anger to the court. The 2.08m (6fty 10in) pivot had 17 points and 8 rebounds as the Philippines came from behind in the first half and won a tough game at home over Chinese Taipei, 90-83.

Robin Benzing, Germany

Georgia had no answer for 25-point Benzing of Germany.

Talk about a steadying influence, Germany hardly missed a beat with Benzing in the lineup. With even more responsibility than during the FIBA EuroBasket, the 28-year-old small forward saw his numbers jump from 8.4 points per game to 18. Benzing shot 12 of 36 (33.33 percent) from three-point range at the EuroBasket, where Germany reached the Quarter-Finals before falling to Spain. In the first window of the Qualifiers he hit 6 of 12 (50 percent) from deep. His contribution in a 79-70 triumph over Georgia was nothing short of outstanding. Benzing was 3 of 4 from long range, 9 of 16 (56.3 percent) overall and 4 of 4 (100 percent) at the free-throw line. He had 25 points against the dangerous Georgians.

Santiago Vidal, Uruguay

Vidal (No. 4) brought a real spark against Panama.

The 28-year-old Vidal is not the first point guard one thinks of when it comes to Uruguayan basketball but he is certainly an important member of the program. With first-choice Bruno Fitipaldo of Sidigas Avellino unable to play following thumb surgery, Vidal answered an SOS from coach Marcello Signorelli and gave a vital contribution off the bench in Uruguay's 86-73 come-from-behind triumph over Panama. The 1.80m (5ft 11in) Regattas Corrientes playmaker had 13 points, 6 assists and 3 steals.

Omar Tarek Oraby, Egypt

Oraby was Egypt's tower of power in November's World Cup Qualifiers

Without Assem Marei, Egypt were missing one of their vital presences in the low post in recent years. Oraby stepped up in a big way. The 26-year-old poured in 10.7 points and grabbed 8.7 rebounds per game as the Pharaohs won two of their three games in the African Qualifiers. In their only loss, a 68-64 defeat to Angola, Oraby may have had his best game. The 2.18m (7ft 2in) center had 16 points and 15 rebounds. 

Jason Cadee, Australia

Cadee was excellent in the backcourt once again for the Boomers.

Australia didn't have their NBA guards Pat Mills or Matthew Dellavedova once again but FIBA Asia Cup star Cadee was so solid that the Boomers hardly missed a beat in the World Cup Qualifiers. In a 104-66 romp at Chinese Taipei and then in an 82-58 triumph over Japan in Adelaide, Cadee was so good it seemed no one was missing in the Australian backcourt. After averaging 10 points and 4.7 assists per game at the Asia Cup, the 26-year-old's numbers improved to 10.5 points and 5.5 assists in the Qualifiers.

Miroslav Raduljica, Serbia

Austria were no match for the talent, guile and strength of Raduljica.

You can only applaud Raduljica, among those always putting his hand up first to play for Serbia coach Sasha Djordjevic. The 2.13m (7ft) center, a regular in the Serbia lineup in 2014, 2015 and 2016 before injury kept him out of the FIBA EuroBasket, returned to the national side from Chinese side Jiangsu Dragons and averaged 21.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as Serbia won against Austria (85-64) and Georgia (105-87) in the World Cup Qualifiers. Serbia were missing most of the players from the side that reached the 2016 Olympic Final and the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 title game.

Ricky Sanchez, Puerto Rico

Sanchez has played for Puerto Rico in big games, like at the 2014 World Cup

A picture of calm, Sanchez isn't the fastest Boricua, yet he moves well for a 7ft (2.13m) power forward/center and drills 3-pointers like a shooting guard. Sanchez connected on a combine 4 of 5 (80 percent) shots from deep in an 85-78 loss to the United States in Orlando and a 95-72 victory over Cuba in Havana.

FIBA