Brazil bring their very best in quest to achieve World Cup dream

Sao Paulo (FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) - The Brazilian national team will welcome the Dominican Republic next Friday, November 30; and will also welcome Canada, on Monday, December 3, at the Wlamir Marques Gymnasium in the second date of the second phase of the Americas Qualifiers.

The South American team currently occupies the third position — with 14 points — in the general qualification in Group F, throughout eight games played for a 6-2 record, behind Canada (7-1) and Venezuela (7-1). They will face both hurdles of this window as locals and the Verdeamarelhos will try to take home the points of two very important games for the World Cup qualification. In their last presentation, they defeated the Virgin Islands, 20-0, without playing, since the Caribbean team was not able to travel. But then, the Brazilians fell against Canada, 85-77, even after Leandro Barbosa scored 18 points. This will be the first time they face the Dominican Republic in these Qualifiers. The Dominicans are positioned in second place in Group D, with a 4-2 record, and will play Brazil on February 24, in the window’s conclusion.

Before the next two games, the squad under Croatian coach’s Aleksandar Petrović’s orders have been training for a few weeks now in the stadium where the Brazilian powerhouse team Corinthians are locals.

Due to the absence of point guard Marcelinho Huertas, the Flamengo player Marquinhos Souza has returned to the national team after being absent from the first eight games of the competition. He had not worn the green and yellow jersey since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Joining him are Arthur Pecos and Rafa Luz, Mogi das Cruzes and Andorra point guards, respectively. They will be covering for Yago and Ricardo Fischer, who are both injured. Returning to the roster this time around is Scott Machado, after a good season in North American basketball with the South Bay Lakers.

“We’ve had to exchange the three point guards for these two important matches: Ricardo Fischer and Yago Mateus, who are injured, and Marcelinho Huertas. To cover these absences, we called Scott Machado, who is doing a good job in the NBA Development League; Rafael Luz, who is currently growing after recovering from his injury; and Arthur Pecos, who has been playing very well at the NBB,” said Petrović.

In recent hours, the withdrawal of center Lucas “Bebê” Nogueira was announced. The Fuenlabrada player felt a discomfort after the game against MoraBanc Andorra last Saturday, during an official Liga ACB game, and will have to postpone his participation in the Qualifiers. After going out to play normally with the rest of the team, the player had to undergo an MRI scan Monday afternoon, and a grade 1 muscle injury was detected in his left calf.

"He complained about aches in his left leg. We decided to run some image tests, where unfortunately a grade 1 muscle injury was detected. Since recovery lasts between 10 to 15 days, he’ll be out of the two games,” the national team medic, Carlos Andreoli, stated.

“I was surprised by the result of the MRI and, unfortunately, I won't be able to defend Brazil this time in the Qualifiers. I talked to Petrović. He was very happy and motivated to have another opportunity to defend my country. Now I just have to think positively, treat the injury and come back even stronger to be able to be present at the February window,” the player assured.

To replace Lucas, the coach called Paulistano center Du Sommer. The 6’7” 24-year-old player incorporated during lunch time this Tuesday and is already training with his team mates.

With these modifications, the Brazilian side is now conformed by: Rafael Luz (Andorra - Spain), Scott Machado (South Bay Lakers - United States), Arthur Pecos (Mogi das Cruzes), Vítor Benite (Cedevita - Croatia), Leandro Barbosa, Marquinhos Souza (CR Flamengo - Brazil), Leonardo Meindl (Paulistano), Marcos “Didi” Louzada (Sesi Franca Basquete), Lucas Dias (Sesi Franca Basquete), Anderson Varejão (CR Flamengo), Rafael Mineiro (CR Flamengo), Augusto Lima (Cedevita - Croatia) y Du Sommer (Paulistano - Brazil).

“The group summoned by Petrović has a lot of quality, since it has experienced players, but it also brings in some younger players that are currently growing. These will be two difficult games. However, we have the possibility of defeating Canada and the Dominican Republic, even more so because we're playing in our stadium and we have our people’s support,” said Guy Peixoto, Jr., president of the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB, for its Portuguese acronym).

“Marquinhos is back in the squad and, although Leandro doesn’t have a club, he's been training hard and played very well in the most recent match against Canada. Leo Meindl and Vítor Benite are constant players on my rosters. Another important player at this stage is young Didi, who's been playing at a high level and has been searching for his space in the national team. As for the centers, Lucas Nogueira is the newcomer and has been playing basketball in Spain. I was able to see him in action against Real Madrid and Barcelona, with two good performances. He deserves this chance. He will be next to Anderson Varejão, Rafael Mineiro and Augusto Lima in this position,” Petrović added.
For these two encounters, the Brazilian authorities expect a full house. These are vital games to try to qualify to the FIBA Basketball World Cup and they are against powerful rivals such as Canada — Group F leader with 7 victories — and the Dominican Republic (5-3), a direct rival in the battle to find a spot in China. Marcelo Sousa, CBB Executive Director, talked about the venue for these two games: “The expectation is that there will be a lot of public at the Wlamir Marques stadium because these are two extremely important games that could confirm the Brazilian qualification for the World Cup in China. The support of our fans is essential to our players.”

Leandro Barbosa is the team's leader in scores, with 14.0 average points per game, followed by Anderson Varejão, with 12.2. Meanwhile, Augusto Lima is the rebound leader with a 10.0 average.

Also, in the Qualifiers’ general stats, Brazil are third in field goal efficiency, with 47.5. behind Canada (51.3) and Argentina (48.4). They are also third in 2-pointers with 55.8% and fifth in threes (35.4%).

The very experienced shooting guard Vítor Benite, who was present at all stages of the Qualifiers, commented on what it means to play as a local team: “It's very important for us, particularly because it’s at home. We must fill that arena and create a good impression for our fans, because I believe that we have a great opportunity to leave with two victories. It will be a great show for everyone: for us — the players — and the public. The city (Goiânia) and Brazil are expecting a great show and people are getting their tickets.”

The Brazilian national team have been to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 17 times, the first time being in 1950. With two titles to their name, they don’t want to be left out of a new chance to reach this achievement once again in front of the whole world.

FIBA