ARG - Fitness boost for Argentina with Gutierrez, Sandes

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas Championship) - Argentina have endured a difficult build-up to the FIBA Americas Championship with veteran superstars like Manu Ginobili choosing to rest and not play this summer and injuries knocking others, like Andres Nocioni, out of contention.

National team coach Sergio Hernandez is therefore breathing a sigh of relief that forwards Leonardo Gutierrez and Carlos Matias Sandes have both been declared fit for the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Hernandez on Tuesday named each in his 12-man squad for the FIBA Americas Championship, which tips off on August 22 in Las Vegas.

Luis Scola and Carlos Delfino are the biggest names in the group, but Gutierrez and Sandes will have vital roles to play for a team that is wtihout a host of players.

Gutierrez suffered a leg injury last week and was doubtful while Sandes picked up a muscular injury during the Pan American Games earlier this summer.

After Sandes got hurt, the Argentinian Basketball Confederation announced he would not be fit in time for the Las Vegas competition.

However, doctors have advised Hernandez the two are fit enough to play.

Gutierrez, 29, is confident he will be ready for Argentina’s opener against Uruguay on August 23.

“We are doing some special things to cure the injury and there is lots of physiotherapy with doctors,” he said.

“When you suffer an injury, it’s better to withdraw, but I want to be with the team and have the chance to play.”

The Boca Juniors forward is currently with the team in Puerto Rico as they prepare to take part in the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup warm-up competition alongside Brazil, Canada and the host nation.

“In Puerto Rico, we will do a different job and I hope I can be in good form,” he added.

Sandes, 23, said: “I have already done complete training sessions without any problems. I am ready to play.”

Argentina have been drawn in Group A for the Fiba Americas Championship, alongside Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Panama and Mexico.

The top two sides qualify automatically for the Olympics, and the sides that end up in positions three, four, five and six will take part in an additional qualifying tournament for the Beijing Games next year.

The Argentina squad is: Pablo Prigioni, Antonio Porta, Paolo Quinteros, Carlos Delfino, Federico Kammerichs, Carlos Matias Sandes, Leonardo Gutierrez, Diego Lo Grippo, Luis Scola, Roman Gonzalez, Martin Leiva, Juan Gutierrez.

By Matias Greco, Buenos Aires
FIBA