ARG - Hernandez explains Cequeira pick

LOGRONO (FIBA World Championship) - Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez has backed Luis Cequeira to fill in for the injured Juan Pablo Cantero at the FIBA World Championship.

Cantero was forced to withdraw with a torn hamstring suffered in training at the weekend, and Hernandez plucked for Cequeira over the rising talent of Juan Fernandez as he believes he can fit straight into the team.

"(Cequeira) was a key part of the team for the South American Championship and he knows well the offensive and defensive systems of the team," Hernandez said.

"I think this is the best option because he is at the optimum level in terms of physicality and maturity."

Some fans were calling for Fernandez to get the nod after playing a starring role last season at Temple University.

However, Hernandez is wary of putting too much pressure on the young star, whose time will surely come.

"I chose Cequeira over Juan Fernandez because I wanted to bring in someone who was hot, but also I don't want to put so much pressure on him at a young age and without having played in the South American Championship."

Argentina spent the weekend in Spain playing in the Logrono tournament, where they lost to Spain 83-76 before beating arch-rivals Brazil 77-73.

"However you play in this tournament, it is about preparing for the World Championship," Hernandez said.

"There were three very competitive teams and we were competitive against them. There was a lot of anticipation over who would win, but for us we wanted to see positive things in the game.

"I'm happy because the games were strong with good play. The result was not the most important thing for either us or the opponent, which is good because it meant we could play. In both games they went right to the last season, and one went for us and one did not.

"The tournament allowed us to try all sorts of different things."

Argentina are now heading to Turkey to play in a tournament involving Canada, Lebanon and Turkey.

FIBA

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