MADRID (Turkish Airlines Euroleague/2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Gustavo Ayon can be forgiven if he is not already thinking about Monterrey 2015 and Mexico's title defense at the FIBA Americas Championship.

Yes, the team will be the host nation and yes, a spot at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics will be at stake, something two lucky sides will claim by reaching the Final.

But right now, Ayon is at the business end of his first season with Real Madrid and he wants to make it count.

With a Copa del Rey triumph already in the bag, Madrid also top the Spanish Liga Endesa standings with several games remaining in the Regular Season.

What's more, Madrid are going to be the home team at the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four.

After back-to-back years of heartbreaking defeats in the Finals, the Pablo Laso-coached team yet again finds itself with an opportunity to finish first.

This will be Ayon's first Final Four.

So when the subject of Mexico's national team came up in an interview with estoenlinea.com, Ayon, answered: "Now I am not thinking about that.

"I have a very important part of the season now.

The month of May is the most important for the club. - Ayon

"I am concentrated 100 percent on here [at Real Madrid]...

"We'll see what happens in the summer."

Ayon has had a lot of ups and downs in the past few years.

He was the Most Valuable Player at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship in Venezuela, and last year, he was also the team's best performer at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

He averaged 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as Mexico, in their first appearance at a World Cup since 1974, met their pre-tournament objective of advancing from the Group Phase.

Ayon made some terrific plays against the United States in the Round of 16 and finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, but the eventual champions had too much firepower and rolled to an 86-63 triumph.

The center had to deal with some injury problems at the start of this season that affected his performances, but in recent weeks he has been back to good health and top form.

In Game 1 of Madrid's playoff series with Anadolu Efes, the 30-year-old Ayon had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

It set the tone for a 3-1 series victory.

At the Final Four, which will be played 15-17 May, Ayon will have to be at his best.

Madrid will take on Fenerbahce Ulker in the Semi-Finals.

"The fans are going to see a different Gustavo Ayon from the beginning of the season," he said.

"We will be involved in crucial games, in which we have to take a step forward for the benefit of Real Madrid."

Ayon said in his interview that he knows very little about the new coach of Mexico, Eddie Casiano, the former Puerto Rico international.

Casiano coaches in the professional league in Mexico.

"I don't know his work," Ayon said.

"I don't know how he works.

"Really, I don't have an opinion about this aspect of his job.

"I spoke to him three or four years ago, during a dinner, but I don’t know everything about his way of working."

Casiano made no secret of how he felt about Ayon during the draw ceremony for the FIBA Americas Championship.

While Ayon is no different to any other athlete and would treasure the opportunity to play at the Rio de Janeiro Games, he says that event is a long way away.

"First we have Mexico 2015 and that will be hard also for the national team," he said, "although I believe we have a big advantage because Mexico hosts the event, because there are many good players inside the team and because those that will be there will do a great job."

Ayon is one of the most famous basketball players ever to hail from Mexico.

That is due in large part to his experience in the NBA, where he played for New Orleans, Orlando, Milwaukee and Atlanta.

Injuries, though, prevented him from taking off in the league.

Though no longer in North America, Ayon could find his way back in the future.

He is happy in Madrid, though, the same city where he once played for Fuenlabrada.

Here [at Real Madrid] I have reached a high-pressure situation. - Ayon

"This club has a lot of pressure from the fans, who always ask their players to be at 100 percent," Ayon said.

"That's good, because it forces you to get better everyday.

"I am very happy."

Mexico coach Casiano and the basketball fans back home will no doubt be hoping that Ayon suits up for them this summer, too.

If he does, Ayon will be the star attraction in his homeland where the national team will try to reach the Final and qualify for the Olympics.

Go to fibaamericas.com/mex2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA