Watson: "This is the most important opportunity of our careers"

COCLÉ (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017) - Nobody could have imagined Caballos de Coclé will start 2017 with the enormous challenge of participating in the 2017 edition of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas.

During the last edition of the Panamanian National League the team was in last place, but there was a subsequent reaction, a furious reaction, that sent the team to dispute the Final against Correcaminos de Colón.

That same reaction, transformed into enthusiasm, remains in the players off the Panamanian runner-up, who await the start of the most important continental club competition as an engine that could make the team transcend internationally.

The captain of Caballos de Coclé, Mauricio Watson, analyzed the reality of the team and explained how they expect the start of the Liga de las Americas can be a vital role in the development of Panamanian basketball.

What does it mean for Caballos de Coclé to participate in the most important club tournament of the continent?
This is the most important opportunity of our careers. The possibility of competing against the best of the continent fills us with great pride, because it also allows us to represent our country. We have won a lot of fans during the 2016, and we are also representing them, as they follow us very closely. This competition will serve as a measuring stick, to see how the Panamanian Basketball League measures against others. This experience will only bring positive things for our club.

How would you describe the team’s game-style?
We are a team that prides itself on its defense. Throughout this season we developed a lot of character on the court, after being last in the standings table on the midseason, we managed to reach the final without a foreign reinforcement players and only 10 national players. Our coach, David Rosario, did an exceptional job with this group, assigning specific roles to each player, making highly talented figures sacrifice protagonist in exchange for victories.

Will the team make adjustments on the roster? Will national players be added? Will three reinforcement platers be added?
Yes, it will be necessary to make adjustments in the roster, although we have a good structure. We need to strengthen all positions, especially the guard and center position. We will certainly use the three reinforcement player’s position. That will be done by Coach Rosario.

The Preliminary Group appears very demanding, with Fuerza Regia (MEX), Guaros de Lara (VEN) and Leones de Quilpué (CHI).
It's a very strong group. We know that none game will be easy, since Mexico, Venezuela and even Chile, have leagues with more trajectory than ours, but we are accustomed to the pressure. We are inspired, we go from less to more. We feel no pressure at all, because we have worked hard to get where we are and we have to prove that it is no coincidence that we qualified for the Liga de las Americas. I trust we will surprise.

A couple of years ago Panamanian Basketball entered a new stage. How do you that development?
After more than 10 years without basketball in Panama, Jair Peralta, a former national team player was selected as President of the Panamanian Basketball Federation. He, with the support of private companies and the Government, made a 180-degree turn, making sure that this nice discipline would be taken into account again. What has been achieved with basketball in Panama in recent years is almost incredible.

How important is that the Panamanian Professional League has recovered and has already disputed two seasons?
The 2015 season of the Panamanian Basketball League (LPB) was a success, even when only national players participated, which gave opportunity to develop new talents. That showed that Panamanian fans were eager to see national basketball. This 2016 season, incorporated Panamanian players who participated in foreign leagues like Michael Hicks, Yosimar Ayarza, Mauro Oglivie, Jaime Lloreda, and that gave another nuance to the league, attracting more the attention from the fans, who perhaps had not had the opportunity to see our stars competing locally. The teams also had the opportunity of adding reinforcement players with a lot of experience, such as Yoan Haiti, Ricardo Meléndez, William Orozco. In the not too distant future, the Professional League of Panama will be one of the most important in the area and these international experiences will help.

FIBA