Valdeolmillos appears likely to coach Mexico again

MEXICO CITY (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - There appears to be a very good chance that come next July at one of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs), Sergio Valdeolmillos will once again be at the helm of Mexico.

The Spaniard, who guided the team at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City to a fourth-place finish, had previous led the country to a surprise title at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

He held the Mexico reins at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Sergio Valdeolmillos (MEX)

He coached them at various other tournaments as well, as far back as 2011.

Valdeolmillos recently accepted an offer to coach Venezuelan outfit Marinos de Anzoategui and that fueled doubts about his ability to lead Mexico again next summer.

But the veteran coach has tweeted a statement to clarify the situation, saying he and the head of CONADE (National Commission for Physical Education and Sport), Alfredo Castillo, have been in communication and insisted that he will be available if needed.

The statement said: "My contract with Marinos de Anzoategui happened yesterday [13 October] afternoon, but I want to clarify that in any event this would have no repercussion on the issue of the Mexican national team that will play at the qualifying round next year.

"I'm absolutely free and available if in the end, things in Mexico are solved and everything comes together.

"I gave my word to Alfredo Castillo from the last day of the Pre-Olympic [FIBA Americas Championship], I made a commitment and I reiterate that I would have no problem as the Venezuelan Professional League ends on 15 May in which case I would immediately begin the preparation with the national team as it's almost certain that the Pre-Olympic (OQT) will take place in July.

"[Assistant coach] Ramon Diaz and I gave our words that we would be in the Pre-Olympic [OQT] tournament and we will do so if requested."

Castillo had already told Mileno.com that he Valdeolmillos will coach the team.

"When the time comes, the Spanish coach will be with us," Castillo said.

"Yes, I'm in contact with him [Valdeomillos], everyone knows each other well in the team and I have confidence in all of them."

Mexico took their fans on a wild ride at the end of August and into September when they hosted the FIBA Americas Championship.

Everything went according to plan as they reached the Semi-Finals to clinch a spot in an OQT.

However, with Argentina to beat in the Semi-Finals when an Olympic spot was at stake, Mexico lost, 78-70. Canada then beat Mexico in the Third-Place Game, 87-86.

FIBA