Hernandez reduces Argentina squad after latest friendly win

LA PLATA (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez needs to make just one more cut to have his final roster for the FIBA Americas Championship after releasing Pablo Espinoza and Juan Manuel Torres.

The veteran play-caller made the move following Argentina's third straight friendly triumph on home soil, a 78-72 victory over Uruguay in La Plata.

The South American giants had previously beaten Venezuela and Brazil in Tecnopolis.

Argentina will on Friday fly to Puerto Rico to take part in the the Tuto Marchand Cup, their last preparation tournament before traveling to Mexico City for the FIBA Americas Championship, which runs from 31 August to 12 September.

While missing some famous names from years gone by, Argentina still have plenty of weapons.

Among them are veterans Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni, along with guards Facundo Campazzo, Nicolas Laprovittola and Selem Safar.

All five played at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup, where Argentina reached the Round of 16 before falling to Brazil.

Argentina will play in Group B at the FIBA Americas Championship against Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

The team will be aiming to clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, or one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) that will be staged next year.

Argentina preliminary squad for 2015 FIBA Americas Championship: Facundo Campazzo, Nicolas Laprovittola, Selem Safar, Nicolas Richotti, Nicolas Brussino, Andres Nocioni, Patricio Garino, Federico Aguerre, Gabriel Deck, Luis Scola, Leonardo Mainoldi, Marcos Delia and Tayavek Gallizzi.

Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA