Venezuela's Colmenares remains optimistic ahead of FIBA Americas Championship

CARACAS (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Despite a number of notable absences from Venezuela's team, Nestor Colmenares remains optimistic about what the reigning South American champions can accomplish at the upcoming FIBA Americas Championship.

Following several weeks of preparations in Europe, the Venezuelans are seeking to reach a level where they can be competitive come the end of the month and the start of the 10-team tournament in Mexico (31 August-12 September), which serves as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The series of warm-up games is bearing fruits according to Colmenares.

"We'll be fine for the tournament. Preparing in Europe helped us a lot to achieve a good level. Beyond the results, the games against the European teams helped us to gain the pace and the intensity needed for an international competition of this hierarchy," he said.

In their last game, Venezuela caused a surprise with an agonizing 82-80 defeat against Spain, which resulted in them getting many accolades for their performance. This causes greater confidence in the "vinotinto" team.

"Against Spain we demonstrated the potential of Venezuela," said Colmenares.

"Against a team with many figures, with great fighting spirit, we played as equals and left a very good image, despite the narrow defeat.

"At least, we have [David] Cubillan recovered, and that powers us. The same with Jose Vargas, who is overcoming his injury."

In the Olympic qualifiers [FIBA Americas Championshipwe will show our true level. - Colmenares

However, nobody can ignore the fact that the combined absences of guard Greivis Vasquez, center Gregory Echenique and forward Luis Bethelmy are a huge blow to the Venezuelan team.

"They are very heartfelt absences because their influence on the team is great and it will be felt in a major tournament. It is clear that without them coach [Che Garcia] changed the game plans because they were leaders of the team," Colmenares admitted.

Venezuela, led by Argentina coach Nestor 'Che' Garcia, will face Cuba, Puerto Rico, Canada and Argentina in Group B.

"The FIBA Americas Championship will be very hard, but if the 12 players who are on the team know their role, we will play a great tournament," said the 2.00m forward.

"I think we should stick with the defense we showed in the last two years. That will be the key. Like the control of tempo and tactical order. On the European tour, we saw that all teams play like that. I think that style will allow us to achieve good results."

Venezuela have finished fifth in each of the last two editions of the FIBA Americas Championship.

This time, in Mexico, they will aim to reach the Final and punch one of the two tickets resulting in direct qualification to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Should they finish third, fourth or fifth, they will clinch a place in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

"While it is too early to say what will happen, yes I think there will be a lot of parity," said Colmenares who will turn 28 on 5 September. 

"Now we have to keep fighting and stay focused on our goal. It is a big challenge and I hope we can achieve something historic, with the Olympic qualification."

Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA