SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas League) - Capitanes de Arecibo are hoping that home-court advantage helps them become the best team in the Americas this week.

The Puerto Ricans, who are hosting the FIBA Americas League Final Four, will go up against Brazilians Pinheiros on Thursday.

The other opening day battle pits Argentina's Lanus against another team from Brazil, former champions Uniceub/BRB.

What could prove to be a crucial factor for Capitanes is that center Peter John Ramos has been cleared to play.

The national team center, a member of the Puerto Rico team that shocked the United States on the opening day of the 2004 Olympics, has been bothered by a wrist injury but has had "light practice" for several days and is available.

"It is our golden opportunity to finally bring the trophy to Puerto Rico," Capitanes coach David Rosario said.

Capitanes' rivals have travelled to the Caribbean with the aim of becoming champions too.

Pinheiros have dangerous weapons on the perimeter, especially Joe Smith and Shemell Stallworth.

"In this team, everyone takes the three and shoots a high percentage, especially the back-court of Smith and Stallworth, who is tall, awkward and is accurate," Rosario said.

"It's a team that we have to defend the three-point line at all times because their big men can nail them, too. It won´t be an easy game."

Rosario says that Uniceub, a team that his side beat in the second round, and Lanus also pose a lot of problems.

"Those two teams from Brazil and Argentina are complicated," he warned.

"They play a lot of pick-and-roll and work for good shots.

"To beat them, you have to defend for 24 seconds on every possession."

Guillermo Araujo and Fernando Mineiro aren´t afraid to launch shots from the arc for Pinheiros, but its three most dangerous weapons from long range are Smith, Stallworth and Paulo Boracini.

Stallworth says taking on the Final Four hosts may not seem like an ideal opener, yet he is confident.

"The team is ready," he said.

"To debut against the home team is tricky because we have the crowd against us, but whoever wants to be champions can´t choose opponents.

"We are having a good moment in the NBB (Brazilian league) and this gives us more the mental strength to have a good performance in the FIBA Americas League."

Uniceub, who were runners-up last season, want to go one step further in 2013.

They are looking for a strong start against Lanus.

"We will play against a team that has been have a good campaign in the competition and knows how to play this type of championship," Uniceub's Brazil international Guilherme said.

“But we are in a good time and expect to get win to continue fighting for the title.

“Furthermore, we´re well prepared, as some players were rested in the later rounds of the NBB, and everyone has the same thought: to start the decisive phase with a victory.”

In addition to Guilherme, Brazil have national team players in Alex Garcia and Nezhino.

On three occasions, Argentinian clubs have won the FIBA Americas League and Lanus are hoping to make it four.

Robert Battle, Nicolas Laprovittola and Adrian Boccia have been standout players for Lanus this season.

"We will try to win the championship,” shooting guard Patricio Prato said.

“We have to keep doing everything that we've been doing all year, which has been very solid.

“The team has trained hard and will give everything to make it happen.”

FIBA