Reigning continental champions bid farewell to FIBA AmeriCup 2017

ARGENTINA (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Venezuela arrived at the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 as defending champions after conquering the title in 2015. But this time around, they couldn’t make it to the Final Four and bade farewell to Bahia Blanca and Group B with a sole victory, in a match against the Virgin Islands. Néstor García, Gregory Vargas and Windi Graterol analyzed the group and the most recent defeat against Canada (75-66).

Coach Néstor García —a Bahia Blanca native— analyzed Venezuela’s and the Group's overall participation: “It was even in the sense that all of the games have been good. They were decided in the end, and anyone could beat anyone. Defensively, the teams were pretty aggressive and apart from the result, there was quite some parity.”

“We're a team that have to give a 100% the entire night. Physically, we have no choice but multiply ourselves because our team has a short height for this level. The game against Virgin Islands wore us out, as well as the overtime with Canada. José Vargas’ injury was a very important downturn,” Che pointed out. Next season, he’ll coach the Fuenlabrada Basketball Club in the Spanish ACB league.

Meanwhile, guard Gregory Vargas (13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists), added: “We started the game going on the court with intensity, and then we got ahead of ourselves when we had the leading score. Canada played very well and they knew how to administer the time, and unfortunately... They were a team with a style that’s like Argentina’s. We weren't aggressive on pick and rolls.”

Windi Graterol—the maroon team's pivot— ended the game as the outstanding shooter, with 16 points: “We have to keep improving the defense, because it's our cornerstone, and we have to keep working. We’ll continue with our same philosophy and work style. We won't lose our focus because the National Team's doing a good job.”

FIBA