Gomes eyeing more silverware

BENGUELA (African Champions Cup/Banco BIC Basket) - More than 12 years after making his national team debut, Angola's Joaquim Gomes feels he still has a lot to give to the 11-time African champions.

"Kikas", as Gomes is known in Angolan circles, had his lowest national team contribution at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, averaging just 1.3 point and 2.7 rebounds.

The 33-year-old only came off the bench in three of Angola's five games, but, he argues, this does not mean the end of the road for him.

Angola, along with hosts Tunisia, Egypt and Uganda are the four teams that have qualified for AfroBasket 2015 to date.

And Gomes is eyeing more silverware as well as making his sixth straight appearance at FIBA Africa's flagship event.

"My future with the national team depends on my performances for Primeiro D'Agosto in the African Champions Cup (ACC) as well as the national championship (BIC Basket)," he told FIBA.com minutes after helping D'Agosto edge out Sporting de Benguela in their season opener.

With the emergence of Yanick Moreira and Valdelicio Joaquim, playing time might be under threat, but the 2.01m power forward knows how to keep building on.

"I honestly don't know what the future holds for my national team career," Gomes explained.

"I can only assure that I will keep working as hard and try to help D'Agosto win as many trophies as possible. Usually, (in Angola), the team that wins more titles tend to provide more players for the national team."

Kikas' first major international appearance since Spain 2014 will happen in December when D'Agosto, the reigning ACC champions, travel to Tunis, Tunisia, for the 2015 edition of the the tournament.

And, a good showing there could add up to his national team aspirations. But facing North African teams has always been a tough experience for him.

Along with fellow national team players Reggie Moore, Armando Costa and Islando Manuel, Gomes helped D'Agosto clinch its eighth ACC title last year in Sousse, Tunisia.

However, he expects the task won't be an easy one this year.

"From my previous ACC experiences, I think Tunisia will come up with one or two good teams and will try to make the most of their home-court advantage," Gomes warned.

"It is always tough to face North African teams. No matter where we face them, they are really good. Tunisian teams, for instance, they play a different game style comparing to ours. They move the ball more often than us, but we play a more aggressive playing style."

Kikas played a key role in helping D'Agosto finish in the top two at the FIBA Africa Zone 6 qualifier held earlier this month in Maputo, Mozambique.

"Apart from the Tunisian teams and (Angolan) Libolo, I don't think there will be much trouble for us in ACC.

"But in this competition we have to get focused, taking each game one at a time in order to avoid upsets. Last year we lost to Kano Pillars (Nigeria) and we have got to get ready now.

"As defending champions we have to play like real champions, respect our opponents, play the best we can in order to retain our continental title.

"I think both Angolan teams (D'Agosto and Libolo) have great players capable of giving us (Angola) more African titles.

"We (D'Agosto) are playing consistent basketball. Let's just wait and see what comes up in Tunisia."

FIBA