MEXICO CITY (2016 Rio Olympics) - Mexico coach Sergio Valdeolmillos knows something very well on the day of the draws for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs). The competition is going to be stiff. Very stiff.

He also has a good idea of which OQT he would like Mexico, whose federation recently had its suspension lifted by FIBA, to play in 4-10 July. Turin (Italy), Manila (Philippines) and Belgrade (Serbia) were named as the host cities last week.

Our ideal scenario is to be based in the Philippines. If we go to Italy, Italy are playing at home. If you go to Serbia, it's hell to face them, to play against them there. In Italy, it's a similar case - there will be a lot of pressure. In the Philippines, I think it's ideal. You don't face a top team as a host nation, although I have a feeling that France might end up in the group of the Philippines. I hope I'm mistaken. - Valdeolmillos

The coach is able to put his entire focus on the draw, which takes place on Tuesday at the House of Basketball (FIBA's headquarters) in Mies, Switzerland at 18:30 CET/GMT+1. That's because he has parted ways this week with Marinos de Anzoategui following the Venezuelan club's early exit from the 2016 DIRECTV Liga de las Americas.

It's with Mexico's national team that Valdeolmillos, a Spaniard, has been able to raise his profile and enhance his reputation. He steered the Tri to glory at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship and the following year guided them into the Round of 16 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Mexico were very close to qualifying directly for the Rio de Janeiro Games but they fell to Argentina in a hard-fought Semi-Final at last September's FIBA Americas Championship. Valdeolmillos's squad still had a solid tournament.

No matter how things play out at the OQTs, Valdeolmillos says Mexican basketball will be a winner in 2016. The sport, he says, will have remained in the spotlight by playing meaningful games against tough sides.

"Above all, it all comes down to the same thing, for Mexico, to play at this very high level and to be competing against top teams," he said to El Desempate TW. "Who would have said this two years ago...

What matters is that Mexico continues to compete at a high level. That is the most important thing, the fact that people are talking about the Mexican national team, the fact that the players that have helped the national team are playing in Europe, in big competitions. - Valdeolmillos

FIBA