ARG – Manu bids fond farewell to Argentina team-mate Pepe
SAN ANTONIO (Olympics) – Manu Ginobili has expressed his disappointment over long-time international teammate Pepe Sanchez’s decision to retire from the national team But Ginobili, who with Barcelona guard Sanchez won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, wished his close friend all the best as he puts all of his focus on his professional ...
SAN ANTONIO (Olympics) – Manu Ginobili has expressed his disappointment over long-time international teammate Pepe Sanchez’s decision to retire from the national team
But Ginobili, who with Barcelona guard Sanchez won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, wished his close friend all the best as he puts all of his focus on his professional career in Europe.
"I had hoped Pepe would retire after the Olympics,” Ginobili said. “Without a doubt it is an enormous loss for the national team and especially for me.
"Out of all the players from the national team that I have played, the longest has been with Pepe.”
Without either and it’s unlikely that Argentina would have hit the heights.
They were both in the team that reached the gold medal game of the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis.
"I understand his decision and I support it,” Ginobili said.
“To play in a top team in Europe, like Barcelona, is more complicated than an NBA team. We will miss him a lot."
FIBA