PUR - Puerto Rico confident with new-look side

SAN JUAN (FIBA World Championship) - Guard Larry Ayuso insists Puerto Rico`s current crop of players can cause a stir at the FIBA world Championships - despite the absence of some of their more established names.

Coach Julio Toro has made the brave decision to inject some fresh blood into the team and leave behind veterans like center Jose 'Piculin' Ortiz.

But Ayuso believes they can create a new era of success.

"The team is very good, but we should not compare it with the group that went to the Olympic games (Athens 2004) because there is no 'Piculin' in it," he said.

"However, there is a group of young players who have grown-up and improved their ability.

"We will take the World Championship game-by-game and we have a big chance of doing something very good. Everybody is confident," he added.

Fellow guard Bobby Joe Hatton is also in a positive frame of mind going to Japan.

"We are in good shape, well focused and if we accept our roles in the squad, we will do a very good job there," he said.

"We've worked hard for almost two months and I think we're well-prepared. We have to go there and see if we can give Puerto Rico the medal our basketball deserves."

Puerto Rico begin their World Championship campaign on Saturday against the United States. China, Italy, Slovenia and Senegal are their other Group D opponents.

PA Sport
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