DOM - Talented group won't include Villanueva

SANTO DOMINGO (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The Dominican Republic will have a talented squad at the FIBA Americas Championship in Venezuela but for the second year in a row, Charlie Villanueva won't be in the team.

The Detroit Pistons forward, named in the 27-man preliminary roster over the weekend, has announced via his Twitter account @CV31 that he will not play.

His tweet said: "Many people r asking me if I'm going to play for the Dominican Republic this summer?

"I love my country, but I will concrete on my game in the US, as this is a important year 4 me, just focusing on my familia and career in the US..."

The Dominicans, who will be led by new head coach Orlando Antigua, will travel to Caracas, Venezuela, and take aim at a top-four finish in a bid to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

They will compete in Group B with Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Paraguay.

James Feldeine, coming off a great year with Fuenlabrada in Spain's Liga Endesa, is a naturalized guard with a chance to make the team.

Key men from last year's side at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament who are in the squad are Edgar Sosa, Juan Coronado, Eulis Baez, Francisco Garcia, Jack Michael Martinez, Al Horford and Josh Asselin.

Asselin was the country's naturalized player in 2012.

Teenager Karl Towns, who played sparingly in Caracas, is also in the preliminary squad.

Atlanta Hawks star Horford is expected to announce whether he will play or not this week.

"I have no doubt that they will be able to give their best in the events that lie ahead," said Orlando Antigua, who was recently put in charge of the national side.

Dominican Republic Preliminary squad for FIBA Americas Championship: Adris de Leon, Amaurys Fermin, Edgar Sosa, Juan Coronado, Luis David Montero, Ronald Ramon, Brandone Francis, Gerardo Suero, James Feldeine, Kelvin Pena, Luis Flores, Manuel Fortuna, Manny Quezada, Victor Liz, Edward Santana, Eulis Baez, Francisco Garcia, Orlando Sanchez, Ricardo Greer, Jack Michael Martinez, Jean Carlos Acosta, Josh Asselin, Manuel Guzmsn, Al Horford, Eloy Vargas and Karl Towns.

FIBA