SAN JUAN (FIBA World Championship) - Puerto Rican duo Filiberto Rivera and Jose Juan Barea have come to terms with the fact that they will be watching the FIBA World Championship on television rather than from the court.

The guards were excluded from coach Julio Toro's final squad in favour of the more experienced pairing of Bobby Joe Hatton and Christian Dalmau.

Barea said: "I understand that the technical staff had a difficult decision to make, but I think that one of Filiberto or me should have been included in the team that goes to Japan.''

But Barea and Rivera were also quick to praise the contribution of Hatton and
Dalmau.

Barea said: "They are tremendous players too.''

Rivera described Hatton and Dalmau as ``elite players of Puerto Rican national and international basketball.

"I won't protest my exclusion. I'm proud for the opportunity they (the coaching staff) gave to me. I understand their decision and wish them luck.''

PA Sport
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