ARG - Cantero ruled out of worlds

LOGRONO (FIBA World Championship) - Argentina's injury bug has bitten again with confirmation that Juan Pablo Cantero will miss the FIBA World Championship with a torn hamstring.

The point guard has been ruled out for up to a month, and will return to Argentina from the team's temporary training base in Spain.

"The results of the MRI confirmed the presumed diagnosis from 48 hours ago," team doctor Diego Grippo said. "We suspected it was a tear and that's what we found. He will not be able to play in the World Championship."

Cantero is the second player to be ruled out by an injury sustained during the training camp, after Juan Pablo Figueroa exited with a dislocated shoulder a little under two weeks ago.

Several other players, not least Andres Nocioni, Paolo Quinteros and Fabricio Oberto, have been battling other ailments.

Moreover, Roman Gonzalez and Hernan Jasen were preparing to play through the pain in Monday's game against Brazil as they too have slight niggles.

Cantero left camp saying he hoped he would be the last player forced out by injury.

"I wish my team-mates the best and hope there are no more injuries," he said. "I will have to go back to Argentina, where I will try to get better and eliminate all the problems I have had over the last two months."

Coach Sergio Hernandez is expected to call up a replacement point guard.

FIBA