PUR - A final tune-up

SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There are many conclusions to draw from the "Tuto" Marchand Cup that was just played in Puerto Rico.

The most important is that all of the participating teams are going to be contenders for a spot on the podium at the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela, a tournament that gets underway on Friday.

And that includes a Canadian team that is rich in talent but lost all four of its games in San Juan.

As each of the coaches will have no doubt been saying to their players, the real competition is about to begin, and that's when the victories and defeats will matter as the national sides go after a top-four place to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Argentina, without Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Carlos Delfino and Pablo Prigioni, were among the most impressive teams in San Juan, winning three of their four games.

Luis Scola, the captain and NBA star, is with the squad and underlined his importance in the scoring and rebounding departments in every game he played.

While he continues to be his team's most important player in the low post, Scola also showed in the tournament in San Juan that he can hit three-pointers, including a five of six effort in a win over Canada.

He was zero of four from long range against the hosts.

Puerto Rico went unbeaten and won the competition by beating Argentina in an intense battle on Monday, 89-81, in front of a packed Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

Brazil (2-2) finished third, the Dominican Republic (1-3) fourth and Canada (0-4) fifth.

The Brazilians edged a close battle against Canada on Monday, 77-70.

If the Puerto Ricans shoot the ball as well in Caracas as they did on Monday, the gold medal is a strong possibility.

Paco Olmos' side nailed 12 of 25 from the arc, with Jose Barea three of five on his way to a game-high 21 points.

"There is nothing like playing here," Barea said.

"We needed it. It gives us confidence before going to Venezuela.

"From beginning to end, we played hard. The energy was there."

Barea and his Boricuas backcourt mate, Carlos Arroyo, were named joint-MVPs of the "Tuto" Marchand Cup.

"The team must now recover its energy and focus on the FIBA Americas Championship," said Spaniard Olmos, who replaced Flor Melendez at the helm just several weeks ago.

"It's the jackpot, a chance to play at the World Cup."

Olmos has finalized his squad (see below) for Caracas and included mostly veterans, including 36-year-old guard Larry Ayuso, 37-year-old Daniel Santiago and 34-year-old Arroyo.

The team also has Ricky Sanchez, an injury doubt earlier in the summer.

Puerto Rico's first game at the FIBA Americas Championship on Friday will be against Brazil and Argentina will square off against Paraguay.

Meanwhile, Canada coach Jay Triano at last has the 12-man roster (see below) he will take to Caracas.

Much of the talk about the Canadians the past year has centered on the burgeoning talents in the program like Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who is in the team.

One of the top players in the side's two recent victories over Jamaica, Baylor University guard Brady Heslip, is also in the squad.

There are seven players who featured at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship who are going to Venezuela.

They are Jermaine Anderson, Joel Anthony, Aaron Doornekamp, Cory Joseph, Levon Kendall, Andrew Rautins and Jevohn Shepherd.

Canada will open their account at the FIBA Americas Championship against the Jamaicans.

Puerto Rico squad for FIBA Americas Championship: Carlos Arroyo, Jose Barea, Andres Rodriguez, Ramon Clemente, John Holland, Larry Ayuso, Luis Villafane, Richard Chaney, Alex Galindo, Ricky Sanchez, Daniel Santiago and Renaldo Balkman.

Canada squad for FIBA Americas Championship: Jermaine Anderson, Joel Anthony, Junior Cadougan, Aaron Doornekamp, Brady Heslip, Cory Joseph, Devoe Joseph, Levon Kendall, Andrew Nicholson, Andrew Rautins, Jevohn Shepherd and Tristan Thompson.

FIBA