VEN - Young talent

MAR DEL PLATA (FIBA Americas) - After losing two tight games and beating Cuba, Venezuela needed a last-day win against Canada to advance to the second round with points.

Greivis Vásquez and Héctor Romero combined for 57 points to help Venezuela to defeat Canada in overtime.

David Cubillán added 15 points and 10 assists and José Vargas had 11 points and six rebounds.

However, the most difficult task in advance was in charge of Gregory Echenique, a 20-year old player, who had to face Miami Heat starting centre, Joel Anthony.

Echenique became a key factour with his double-double: 10 points, 10 rebounds.

"I put on all my energy to face Anthony," said Echenique, a second-year player from Creighton in the NCAA. "When I play hard and without any complex, things tend to go great."

"I had nothing to lose against such a great player."

Gregory Echenique was born in Mérida, Venezuela, in November 1990 and he appeared just when Venezuela needed a big guy to replace 38-year old Richard Lugo.

Echenique seems to be ready to take that place.

"Coach wants me to be important in the low-post, close to the basket both in offence and defence," explained Echenique, who averaged three points and two rebounds in his 2010 World Championships debut.

Experienced Oscar Torres, who started playing in the National Team in 2002, thinks Echenique has the talent and he works hard to make something out of it.

"I try to explain him that playing for Venezuela is a privilege he has to enjoy and take as something really important," Torres said.
Echenique called the fans' attention with three spectacular dunks on Canada's defence.

"Those dunks fill me with adrenaline and give energy to the team," said the player who dreams on playing in the NBA. "It allows to shout out loud that we are here, that we believe in us like Venezuelan people do and we don't care about those who didn't believe in us."

FIBA