Romano doesn't give up on dream of playing in big games for Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Nicolas Romano hasn't given up hope of playing for Argentina in the very important tournaments, including FIBA AmeriCup 2017 and the World Cup Qualifiers.

The veteran power forward, 29, led the team in scoring last summer at the South American Championship but was not included on the Olympic roster by coach Sergio Hernandez.

Romano averaged 12.3 points per game at the 2016 South American Championship

When the announcement was made about the country's Olympic roster, four younger players from the South American Championship team - Marcos Delia, Gabriel Deck, Roberto Acuna and Nicolas Brussino - and 31-year-old veteran Leo Mainoldi were included. They joined Facundo Campazzo, Nicolas Laprovittola and Patricio Garino, and Golden Generation players Luis Scola, Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino. 

But there was no spot for Romano.

Ginobili and Nocioni retired from the national side after the Olympics, perhaps opening the door a little more for Romano.

He's hoping to contend for a place in the teams that host the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 and take part in the six World Cup Qualifiers windows that tip off in November.

I learned to wait, to keep working. I think I'm doing things right and if they keep me in mind, I'll try to leave everything (on the court) as I always do.Nicolas RomanoNicolas Romano

"Over time, I learned something," he said in an interview on the Argentina Basketball Confederation website. "The national team doesn't depend on oneself, but on the coach, on him wanting you, fitting into his scheme.

"Being part of a national team is the most beautiful thing there is, and I will not lie, I know in my head that if I train and play well, I will have an opportunity to be called up. But it is not something that I lose sleep over.

"I learned to wait, to keep working. I think I'm doing things right and if they keep me in mind, I'll try to leave everything (on the court) as I always do."

Romano had some big games at the 2016 South American Championship, including a 20-point explosion in a win over Colombia that put the team into the Semi-Finals.

In 2017, Argentina will host FIBA AmeriCup Group B games 27-29 July in Bahia Blanca. They will go up against the Virgin Islands, Venezuela and Canada. The country will also stage the Final Phase 2-3 September.

In the World Cup Qualifiers, Argentina will square off against Uruguay, Paraguay and Panama in Group A. In the first window, Hernandez's team will host Paraguay on 23 November and three days later play at Panama.

"I'm 29 years old and I know that there are a lot of younger guys coming from below that have promising futures," Romano said. "But I want to continue having opportunities."

FIBA