CHI - Morrison eyes a surprise

SANTIAGO (FIBA Americas Championship for Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Chile will head to Xalapa, Mexico next month as an outsider in the medal race and also in the scramble to clinch one of the three coveted FIBA World Championship for Women tickets attached to a podium finish.

But, having someone with WNBA court time under her belt like Ziomara Morrison back on board certainly keeps the possibility of a major surprise well and truly alive.

The center is a real powerhouse in the paint and her absence two years ago in Neiva, Columbia, was certainly felt by Chile who lost all four games.

She also showed her value recently at the FIBA South American Championship when she amassed a sparkling 21.4 points and 13.6 rebounds per game to lead Chile to a bronze medal - only their fourth at the event.

Confidence flows with Morrison around and even before their third placed-finish in Mendoza, the player had been telling anyone willing to listen that Chile would be a threat.

"Well, I was right!" laughed the 24-year-old.

"I believed in my team and I was sure that we would have a chance in the tournament.

"We got the bronze medal but even then, we could not show our very best level because we arrived with many physical problems."

Now her attention is focused solely on the pending action in Mexico and getting wins against Cuba, Canada, Jamaica and Venezuela.

"To reach a goal you need to be able to win against anyone and have a competitive mind," said Morrison.

"I know that is a hard group with teams who have great experience in these competitions.

"Nevertheless, I think that if we do our job and work hard, anything is possible.

"Coach Gonzalez puts a lot of emphasis on the fundamentals and he is always looking to make everybody better and that also makes the team better."

She continued: "When you play this kind of tournament, you need show and play your best.

"I'm sure that we will play even better than we did in Mendoza and I hope that injuries respect us.

"We have to be calm, keep our feet on the ground, taking it step by step and game by game. After that, we will see."

To make it to the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women will take a special effort, but whatever happens in Xalapa next month, it won't be for the want of trying claimed Morrison.

"The team is working really hard and for that alone, we deserve to play in it next year," she said.

"To get to play (in Turkey next year) would be a big prize for everybody, not only for me."

Even if Chile fail to step onto the podium and punch their ticket, Morrison will still be playing in Turkey. She recently inked a deal with Ceyhan Belediyespor and is relishing the challenge of testing herself in one of the most competitive domestic competitions around.

"I expect to become a better player," said Morrison.

"I want to keep playing and to show my best basketball.

"I really wanted to play in a good league and now I will - in Turkey."

The FIBA Americas Championship for Women will run between 21 September and 28 September.

FIBA