SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) – Jose Barea and Carlos Arroyo look certain to play for Puerto Rico this summer as they attempt to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

Barea is currently playing with the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semi-Finals while former NBA star Arroyo is competing with European giants Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"We’ve had communication with Barea and Arroyo and both are delighted to participate in the FIBA Americas Championship,” said Agustin Diaz, the general manager of the Puerto Rico national team.

“Nobody has expressed any problems about their availability.”

Puerto Rico narrowly missed out on a place at the Beijing Games after losing to Germany in the final game of last summer’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens.

To get ready for the FIBA Americas Championship, which is being staged in Mexico, Diaz is considering taking on a star-studded Dominican Republic in six warm-up games at the end of July and beginning of August.

Three of the friendly encounters would be in Puerto Rico and three in the Dominican Republic.

"Scheduling six games against the Dominican Republic would be a great warm-up because they will have a great team," Diaz said to El Nuevo Día.

The Dominicans, if they have their leading players involved, would appear to have a great chance of reaching Turkey.

NBA players Al Horford, Francisco García, Charlie Villanueva and Trevor Ariza could all play for the Dominican Republic and help them reach the FIBA World Championship for the first time in 31 years.

Puerto Rico would then take part in the Tuto Marchand Cup (August 18-20) at Coliseo de Puerto Rico along with Argentina, Brazil and Canada.

FIBA