FIBA Americas - Great expectations for new FIBA Americas League

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas League) - When the FIBA Americas League tips off on December 4, it could be a watershed moment for basketball on the continent.

Clubs will have to travel long distances to play games, but organisers believe they will overcome the logistical issues and the competition will be a success.

President Julio Subero, president of the FIBA Americas, certainly is optimistic.

"This championship will help the development of continental basketball," Subero said.

"The FIBA Americas League joins the three parts of the continent and that is what club teams have needed to continue growing up."

In the United States, travel is a way of life for the NBA teams and the same can be said in Europe with various continental competitions.

"People believe America's basketball is just the NBA, and that's not correct," Subero said.

"We have a lot of first class championships in which they work seriously.

"It's true we are not as financially powerful as Europe, but we have very good technical, human stuff and we'll prove it in the FIBA Americas League."

The championship was launched on Tuesday in Buenos Aires with 16 teams divided into four groups of four to be played in four different venues - Guaynabo (Puerto Rico), Miami (United States), Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Mar del Plata (Argentina), and it will tip-off on December 4.

In Group A, there will be USA side PBL All Star, Metros Santiago of Dominican Republic, Puerto Rican outfit Cangrejeros and Mexican side Soles.

Group B also has Mexican, American and Puerto Rican-based teams, with Fuerza Regia, Halcones Xalapa, Miami Tropics and Capitanes.

Minas Tenis host Group C in Brazil alongside compatriots Flamengo, the reigning Argentina's Liga Nacional champions Boca Juniors and Defensor Sporting of Uruguay, while Penarol of Argentina host Group D in Mar del Plata to play against compatriots Libertad, Universo of Brazil and Chilean side Liceo Mixto.

The continent's governing body's secretary general Alberto Garcia said he initially had doubts over the creation of the league.

"We thought it would have been impossible to have the tournament when we saw the budget some clubs were managing," Garcia said.

"That's why we consider the effort clubs have made, not only because of investment, but also because some of them have built their teams specially for this competition.

"We are sure this tournament will be a success."

Matias Greco, Buenos Aires
FIBA