ARG - Scola available for FIBA Americas Championship

BUENOS AIRES (2007 FIBA Americas Championship) - Luis Scola has confirmed he will play for Argentina at the FIBA Americas Championship as they attempt to qualify for the Olympics.

The Tau Ceramica forward is recovering from a right foot injury and told the www.ole.com.ar website that he will represent his national team in the pre-Olympic tournament which has no confirmed venue yet.

"Next year, I will be there, if nothing bad happens," said Scola, a member
of the Argentina team that won the Olympic gold medal in Athens two years ago.

"If everything is all right, it's 100% confirmed that I will be there," Scola said.

However, he added: "It's clear that the 12 (world championship) players will not.

"I'm sure that some players won't come and other ones will. They are personal decisions, because there are different situations, different ages...

"But it's not something bad. We can mix with other generations and start a new Olympic cycle with an important tournament like the qualifiers which will be complicated and tough.

"I respect fully every player's decision because I believe that everybody has the right to take the best decision for themselves."

One player who is uncertain is Manu Ginobili, who has said he will wait before deciding if will take part.

The FIBA World Championship finished on September 3 in Japan with Spain taking the gold
medal after beating Argentina in the semi-final and the South Americans then lost to Team USA in the bronze medal game.

Scola said: "It was a good World Championship because we managed to be among
the best four teams by playing very good basketball at times.

"Perhaps there is a bit of anger and rage because we think we could have been in a better position, but we fought and did our best, so we have to be happy about that."

By PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA