DOM - Dominican Republic's Garcia looks ahead to San Juan

SANTO DOMINGO (FIBA Americas Championship) - Dominican Republic star Francisco Garcia is looking forward to playing at the FIBA Americas Championship at the end of August.

The Dominicans were drawn this week to face Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela in Group B.

The tournament serves as the qualifying event for teams in the Americas for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

"Falling into Group B means that the commitment for everyone is bigger because the competition is stronger in the first games," former Louisville star Garcia said on the FIBA Americas website.

Garcia is excited by the prospect of playing in a Dominican team that could also include NBA players Trevor Ariza, Charlie Villanueva and Al Horford.

He says the practices and friendly games in the build-up to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the FIBA Americas Championship will be played, are crucial.

"If we don't have time to get to know each other, we will do nothing," he warned. "We have to have everything organized like other teams."

Four places for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey are up for grabs.

The United States qualified for Turkey by winning the gold medal at the Olympics and therefore will not be in Puerto Rico.

FIBA