PUR – Competition fierce for shooting guard spots with Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - Puerto Rico coach Manolo Cintron is going to have a difficult time making cuts at the shooting guard spot ahead of the FIBA Americas Championship in San Juan.

Cintron and Co will be hosting the qualifying event for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, and they need to achieve a top-four finish to earn a trip to next year’s big event.

Larry Ayuso, a veteran shooting guard in the national side who played at the 2004 Olympics,  the 2006 FIBA World Championship and last year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, said: "It's not bad that there are many players competing in one given position.

"We have enthusiastic and brave players ... the best of Puerto Rico.

“They will have to battle in order to earn a place just as we (veterans) had to do. It's going to be a difficult decision for Manolo."

Rick Apodaca, Joel Jones, Javier Mojica and David Cortés – players with international experience – are among those battling for a shooting guard spot.

Italian league players David Huertas and Guillermo Díaz are also in the reckoning, as well as Jesse Pellot and Puerto Rico’s star at the FIBA U19 World Championship in New Zealand, Mike Rosario.

"I've come here to work hard,” Pellot said of Puerto Rico’s preparations.

“I know all of them are good players but the final decision will be taken by the coaches.”

"I have a tremendous headache," Cintron said.

"It is the most crowded position that I have. And we will see how they behave in training."

Ayuso, meanwhile, has announced that that he will end his international career in 2012 provided Puerto Rico qualify for the London Olympics.

FIBA