Santana and Molinar: Opposites Come Together at Montevideo

MONTEVIDEO (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Opposites attract at Group C. The youngest and the most veteran players at the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 will come together in Montevideo. On one side is Panamanian Iverson Molinar is part of his team rebuilding efforts and this is his first experience as part of the national team. On the other is 37-year old Dominican captain Edward Santana, whose team is also going through an evolution process. At some moment, both will face off at Peñarol Palace and will try to take their respective teams to the highest levels of the competition.

Panama Point Guard Iverson Molinar is the youngest player in the competition. With only 17-years of age, this is his debut at this type of continental competitions. Only two tournaments at the U-15 level with the 2014 National Team (CentroBasket and COCABA) brought opportunities for him to study and train in the United States. Now its his turn to try his skills for the first time with the National Team: “For me, it's a great experience to be here and defend my country. I'm studying abroad and I feel that my game has recently improved a lot. I want to render results so that the public can see the work that I've been doing throughout all of this training stage.”

Since Jair Peralta arrived at the Panama Basketball Federation (FEPABA) presidency, he's aimed to refresh the National Team. “I like being a part of it. There are many that are studying abroad and want to be here. We hope that this is the start of us showing what we're doing and what we want to accomplish.”

Their first game will be against United States, but Molinar isn't afraid: “We have good expectations for the debut. For me, it’ll be a nice experience to play against future NBA players. I take it as a preview of what’s to come during the next years of my career.”

Edward Santana is the most "veteran” player of this event. He's 37. This is the third continental tournament for the Dominican captain: “I’m the most veteran of the whole group, which is why I talk a lot to the rookies. Let’s hope that they also know how to follow orders so that we can reach our goal together. It's an honor for me to be at this tournament, as well as defending my National Team. That's why I'm here when I'm called for.

In relation to this tournament's preparation, he said: “It was a short but intense training. Our objective is to qualify for the Pan American Games. If then we're able to enter the Final Four, then so be it.” When asked to analyze the first game and its difficulty, he commented: “Uruguay are the locals. They're a courageous and strong team. Their game is very physical, and the first game is always complicated, so we expect to move forward.”

The Group C hosts haven't won a game against the Dominican Republic in six years, so Santana had no qualms in saying: “We hope to keep up the streak and make it 7 games without losing.”

FIBA