ESP - MVP of Week Corbacho is red hot

GRAN CANARIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Alberto Corbacho had cause 10 years ago to believe that he would break into Spain's national team and play at a EuroBasket, Olympics or FIBA Basketball World Cup.

At the time, the tall and thin sharpshooting forward was in his country's squad that played at the U20 European Championship, a group that also included Marc Gasol and Victor Sada.

Graduating to the senior team of Spain is never easy, though.

A 29-year-old Rio Natura Monbus star, Corbacho is still waiting for the call.

He is shooting exceptionally well in the Spanish Liga Endesa for the second consecutive year, though, and appears to have a fighting chance to play for Spain when they host the FIBA Basketball World Cup later this year.

Last year, Corbacho was among three players invited to practice with the squad before it travelled to the EuroBasket in Slovenia and finished third.

It was deserved recognition for a player who had finished with a Liga Endesa record average of 3.26 three-pointers made per game.

He's having an even better 2013-14 campaign.

The 2.01m forward erupted for 26 points in a 60-53 upset of hosts Gran Canaria on Sunday, burying seven of 11 attempts from long range.

Corbacho finished with an overall valuation of 31 and earned the honor of Liga Endesa Player of the Week.

In his last three outings, Corbacho has connected on 16 of 27 attempts from behind the arc.

At his current rate, Corbacho will beat his record of last year because his average of three-pointers made per game is now 3.29.

"I'm very happy with the designation and that it has helped the team achieve a deserved victory on a difficult court," he said.

Rio Natura are on a roll, winners of six straight games.

The circumstances could not have been any more difficult on Sunday because the club lost its two centers during the week.

Michael Muscala left for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks as a replacement for Mexico center Gustavo Ayon, who had to shut down his season after a requiring a shoulder operation.

Oriol Junyent sprained his knee and suffered a partially torn ACL and was unavailable.

Muscala and Junyent had averaged a combined 24 points.

Corbacho was there to pick up the slack, pouring in nearly half of the team's 60 points.

There have been several dazzling displays from Corbacho this season, including a seven of 10 effort from the arc in a 29 December 94-92 loss to Laboral Kutxa.

He finished with 31 points in that contest.

FIBA