OKINAWA (Japan) - After the first win of the history of his country, Will Tavares turned sentimental as he looked back on the journey Cape Verde had en route to their maiden appearance in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE THE SMALLEST COUNTRY, WE HAVE SO MUCH HEART AND WE PLAY HARD.

Cape Verde are among the four newcomers this year and the 28-year-old guard still remembers vividly all the hardships and setbacks that he and the whole crew had gone through to get to where they are right now.

"I can start all the way from COVID [days]. The long flights. The players getting COVID; playing with six players in Cameroon. It's been a long, long journey," he reflected.

The Blue Sharks played their second game in the World Cup on Monday night, and the crew gave their people a reason to celebrate as they swam back through the currents and beat Venezuela, 81-75, for their first win.

With their win, their hopes and dreams of making it to the second round in their first appearance remain alive. More than the implications, though, is the fact that they broke through.

"I feel like I'm in a dream right now," said Tavares, who scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help the Blue Sharks complete the fightback from as much as 13 down.

To have shown that the smallest nation to ever take part in the World Cup could compete in basketball's biggest stage means everything.

"The win was so big for us in our country, and our families," he said.

"And, to just make a statement that even though we're the smallest country, we have so much heart and we play hard," added Tavares.

The journey was all worth it, indeed.

And the journey continues.

FIBA