Argentina playmaker Bertona patterns game after Campazzo's fearlessness

ROSARIO/SANTA FE (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - If you see Gaston Bertona attack the basket fearlessly or dive for a loose ball at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018, you should know that he patterns his game after Argentina starting senior team point guard Facundo Campazzo.

Bertona has been one of the leaders for the host Argentinians - another trait of Campazzo.

"My role model is Facundo Campazzo. I love how he plays, he is fearless," the 5ft 10in (1.78m) point guard said. "I had the chance to train with him and he is someone very special."

Bertona himself is starting to make a name and become a special player for Argentina. He has already made his professional debut, playing two LNB games with Obras Sanitarias.

"I had a chance to be with the professional team this season, played some games and it was a great learning experience," said Bertona, who picked up six points in hitting his only three-point attempt in both of those games.

Last summer he was Argentina's leading scorer at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship with 13.6 points to go with 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists as Argentina finished fifth. That tournament was in Formosa, in northern Argentina, making the U17 World Cup a second straight summer that Bertona gets to play in front of his home fans.

"To play in a World Cup is a dream come true for any player. And to do it at home with the love and support from your people is very special," said Bertona, who has struggled with his shooting at the U17 World Cup at just 8 percent and averaging 2.0 points, 2.5 rebound and 1.0 assists. "It gives us an extra strength. To wear your country's jersey in a World Cup in front of your people is something wonderful."

It is even more special for Bertona, who is from San Guillermo, which is near Santa Fe - the co-hosting city of the U17 World Cup. 

"To know that people close to me are coming to see me and cheer for me gives me an extra motivation to go out there and give it all on every play," Bertona said.

There will be some very strong bonds on the Argentina team. Bertona has already played with Bautista Lugarini and Ignacio Varisco at the national team U14, U15 and U16 levels. Tomas Chapero and Maximo Milovich joined them on the U15 and U16 teams.

"TO PLAY IN A WORLD CUP IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ANY PLAYER. AND TO DO IT AT HOME WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM YOUR PEOPLE IS VERY SPECIAL."Bertona

"We have known each other since we were little kids," Bertona said. "I believe that is an advantage for us. We know each other so well on and off the court and that makes things easier for us."

Argentina appeared in all four previous U17 World Cups with their best finish being sixth in 2012. Bertona and co. came into in Rosario and Santa Fe with high hopes

"Whenever you start a new championship, you have very high expectations and we have trust in ourselves," said Bertona, who has been unable to help Argentina to a win in their first two Group D games. "I believe we are stronger this year compared to last year and we hope to do a good job."

A big help in that effort will be the home fans - something that the Argentina CABB federation has been providing more and more to their players. In addition to last summer's U16 Americas tournament, Argentina has hosted the last two and three of the five FIBA U16 Americas tournaments as well as the 1994 and 2008 FIBA U18 Americas Championships.

"The fact that the federation shows such a big support to us and all the youth national teams means a lot to every one of us," Bertona said. "We had the chance to go out on tours to Europe and Latin America and that's very big. And now to have them hosting a World Cup is very important for us."

Now it's up to Bertona and co. to use that advantage.

"We have to believe in ourselves and trust that we can compete with anyone," Bertona said. "We have to give our maximum effort so we can fulfil our potential."

A key to that will be Bertona playing fearlessly - like his role model Facundo Campazzo.

FIBA