DOM - Coronado relishing chance to play at Spain 2014

SANTO DOMINGO (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There is no hesitation in the voice of Juan "Pedales" Coronado when he's asked about the greatest achievement in his basketball career.

"To qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup," he said.

That happened last year, when the guard helped the Dominican Republic clinch a top-four finish at the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.

Coronado was a key man.

He underlined his importance to the team from the off, drilling three shots from long range and scoring 18 points in a tournament-opening 91-72 upset of Argentina.

The Dominicans fell in their next two games to hosts Venezuela and Mexico but then turned on the afterburners and reeled off five consecutive wins to seal a place in basketball's top international event in Spain.

A fourth-place finish at the continental championship was a huge success for the side coach by Orlando Antigua.

Advancing from the Group Phase of this year's 24-team world class event would be, too.

The Dominicans are going to play in a very competitive Group C that includes the USA, Ukraine, Turkey, New Zealand and Finland.

The USA are the defending champs and the favorites to win the title, but most believe the other five teams are evenly balanced.

If there is an underdog, however, it may be the Dominicans.

The last time the country played at a FIBA World Championship was in 1978 in the Philippines.

"In my opinion, we will pass to the next round," said Coronado.

"Not everyone has confidence in the great team that we have, (but) we are going to the second round."

Coronado, who is on the roster of Reales de la Vega in the Dominican Republic, has been an important player in the national side since first being included in 2009.

He says that year was a pivotal one in his career.

"My presence in the team in 2009 filled me with motivation to work harder each day and to maintain my place in the team," he explained.

"It fills you with pride to wear a shirt with the name of the country on it."

Where Coronado helps the Dominicans is obvious.

"I love to run a lot," he said.

"And we have had a team that is very athletic that runs the court well and is always intense on defense.

"I've always tried to bring a lot of energy and to run."

Coronado will be as excited as any of his compatriots when the Dominicans hit the floor in Bilbao on 30 August and play their first game against Ukraine.

FIBA