ESP - Pepu's getting good vibrations after win over Argentina

MADRID (FIBA World Championship) - Spain coach Pepu Hernandez believes his side is coming into form at the right time for a successful assault on the FIBA World Championship.
Hernandez's men won their own Madrid Tournament with a 79-67 victory over Olympic champions Argentina on Sunday night as they continued their countdown to international basketball's showpiece event, which tips off in less than two weeks' time.

Spain were already among the favourites to win the gold medal in Japan and Hernandez is feeling positive about his side's prospects.

"I have good vibes because we've trained well and we've played with ease," he said, adding a note of caution for his players not to get carried away.

"We still have an important journey to undertake before the start of the World Championship in Japan, but we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground and continue to work with humility.

"Things are starting to get serious now, and now is the time when we have to show we are ready."

Hernandez insists there is plenty of room for improvement ahead of their World Championship opener against New Zealand a week on Saturday.

"Argentina are a very competitive team," he said. "We've done well in defense but we have made some errors in attack.

"What I want is for this team to be able to run. The rebound problem, you always have it."

Sunday also saw Hernandez reveal his final pick for the 12-man squad he will take to Japan, giving the nod to NBA star Pau Gasol's younger brother Marc at the expense of Eduardo Hernandez-Sonseca.

He praised the latter for his contribution in the preparation stages and revealed his reasons for opting for 21-year-old center Gasol.

"I want to thank Edu Hernandez-Sonseca for his work in the preparation stages," Hernandez said. "He's given 100% and he's been key in helping this team get ready.

"I believe Marc Gasol could give us more support in our interior play."

Captain Carlos Jimenez, who had nine points and eight rebounds on Sunday, is looking forward to Spain's next phase of preparation, which sees them travel to Singapore for another friendly tournament.

"We're packing our suitcases full of morale to go to Asia and then play in Singapore," he said, adding it will do the squad good to get out of the pressure cooker of playing in front of their own fans.

He said: "I believe the tournament we will play in in Singapore will come in handy for us because we will play without having the pressure we've had in Spain, where the fans have supported us but have also demanded a lot."

As well as the Tall Blacks, Spain face Group B games against Germany, Angola, Panama and hosts Japan at the FIBA World Championship.

By PA Sport
Exclusively for FIBA