Seibutis relishes stepping up to fill leader's role

MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Renaldas Seibutis was ushered into the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup not only needing to give his best as a player but also as the leader of the Lithuanian campaign.

The injury to star point guard Mantas Kalnietis days before FIBA's flagship event tipped off was disappointing and depressing enough and then Seibutis was called upon to fill in the shoes not only on the court but also off it.

"It was a call from the coach (Jonas Kazlauskas) to rise to the challenge. And I think I have tried my best to respond to that call," Seibutis said ahead of Lithuania's Third-Place Game against France on Saturday.

I'm a player who wants to get better with every game. - Seibutis

"I love challenges. This has been a new kind of challenge for me. I had to make a few adjustments to my style. And I must thank my teammates for allowing me to learn on the job," he said about filling in to make up for Kalnietis's absence.

"It's certainly not been easy playing without Mantas. He was our leader on the court as well as outside.

We hope to end the tournament on a happy note - Seibutis

"But we (the team) told each other that this is life in sport. Injuries to anybody is a part and parcel of it," Seibutis recalled of the mood in the team when Kalnietis was ruled out.

"We told each other that this is a time for us to look for each other and play for each other. We have to not only play well because he (Kalnietis) is not here. But we also have to play well for him," said the 29-year-old.

"This is a moment we have been waiting for. We came into the competition with a lot of challenges. But here we are in the best four teams in the world. And here we are to win another medal for our country."

FIBA