PAN – Panama uncertain about which players will show up to play in Mar del Plata

SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas Championship) - Panama coach David Rosario believes the national team has a chance to be competitive this summer if all of the country's leading players show up for the FIBA Americas Championship.

Rosario, who coaches Panamanian Danilo Pinnock (pictured) at Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico, will lead the squad in the event that is to be staged in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from August 30 to September 11.

"Gary Forbes, Ruben Douglas, Michael Hicks, Chris Warren - if I have them, then we can surprise many people in this tournament," he said.

While he has plenty of time to get commitments, with the training not supposed to start until August 1, Rosario says the team would benefit with more workouts and friendly games.

As it is, Rosario says there is an "uncertainty about the players" and that, coupled with "the limited time of preparations" is going to make it difficult.

Even if some of the stars like Denver Nuggets forward Forbes do not play, Rosario will have an interesting side.

"A good group has given  me their word they will play in both tournaments," he said in an interview with Puerto Rican basketball league magazine Todo Básket.

FIBA