Uruguay will get a charge out of hosting FIBA AmeriCup games

MONTEVIDEO (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Uruguay veteran Esteban Batista gets an adrenaline rush every time he looks ahead to the FIBA AmeriCup 2017.

He gets pumped up knowing that his home city of Montevideo will host Group Phase games in the continent's flagship event 28-30 August.

"It's a great opportunity to play in front of our people in our country and it's a very nice group because we'll play against the USA, the Dominican Republic and Panama," Batista said to FIBA.com.

"People are very passionate in our country and it's going to really help the national team to play in front of the home fans. When you play at home, you really feel it." 

Batista has squared off against all three teams before, including the United States when the Americans hosted the FIBA AmeriCup 2007 in Las Vegas. Batista had 20 points in that game but the USA rolled to a 118-79 victory.

This is what happened when he took on the Dominicans at the FIBA AmeriCup 2013.

Uruguay will face the Dominicans on 28 August and the USA the following day and then Panama, a team that won the countries' last battle in 2015 at the AmeriCup in Mexico City. Batista did not play at that tournament.

The game he's most looking forward to is the one against the United States.

"I don't remember a USA team ever coming to Uruguay, not when I've been playing," Batista said. "We'll see what kind of team they bring but it's a first AmeriCup and it's also preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers and I'm really excited they've decided to make this kind of tournament."

It's important for anyone that plays for a national team, a great honor. It's the only jersey that you wear when you go and play without a contract without any money. It's something you enjoy and I'm lucky to be able to represent my country.Esteban BatistaEsteban Batista

Uruguay will go into the tournament with one eye on the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, which get underway in November.

Batista and Co will face Argentina, Panama and Paraguay in the First Round of the qualifiers. They will have clashes at home to Panama (23 November) and at Paraguay (26 November) in the first of six qualifying windows for the World Cup.

"Basketball is the second sport in South America and I think it's going to grow up a lot because people will have the opportunity to enjoy the tournament," Batista said of the World Cup Qualifiers. "It's not going to be over after just one week. It's going to have the attention longer.

"We know that it's going to be tough, but it's very good motivation for us to play and try to compete and of course do so with our people."

Seven teams from the Americas will qualify for the 32-team World Cup. 

Batista was a tour de force at the 2016 South American Championship

Batista, who is playing for Umana Reyer Venezia in the Italian Lega A Play-Offs, says there is nothing like putting on the national team jersey.

"It's important for anyone that plays for a national team, a great honor," he said. "It's the only jersey that you wear when you go and play without a contract without any money.

"It's something you enjoy and I'm lucky to be able to represent my country."

FIBA