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FIBAAMERICAS.COM
July 1-15, 2008
Battle in
Greek groud
Three passes
for beijing
The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament is coordinated and presented
between FIBA and the Basketball Federation of Greece, in Athens, from
the 14th to the 20th of July, at the OAKA Arena, in the suburbs of Maroussi,
with sitting space for 18,000 spectators.
A total of twelve countries will meet at this tournament with the hope of
capturing one of the three extant passes for the 2008 Olympic Games to
be held this time in Beijing, China, this next august, from the 10th to the
24th of that month. There are already 9 countries classified to the games:
China, the Host; Spain, World champion; Angola, Africa's Champion; United
States of America and Argentina, #1 and #2 for the Americas; Iran, Asia's
Champion; Russia y Lithuania, #1 and #2 for Europe; and lastly, Australia,
for Oceania.
Group A: Brazil, Greece, and Lebanon.
Group B: Cape Verde, Germany, and New Zealand.
Group C: Canada, Korea, and Slovenia.
Group D: Cameroon, Puerto Rico, and Croatia.
The teams will compete amongst their counterparts in the same Group
from the 14th to the 16th. The best tow of each group will advance to the
quarterfinals that will kick off on the 18th, as the 17th will hold no games
and will be used by the teams to rest.
If Puerto Rico defeats Cameroon, as is expected, they will advance along
with Croatia and will go against the best two in Group C, where Slovenia
is the favorite, and it could go either way for Canada and Korea as far as
who will advance to the second round.
Cameroon is athletic, fast, has good scooters, but they lack tall men. They
are coached by Lazare Adengono, who is assistant coach at the University
of Canisius in the NCAA. Forward Frank Ndongo plays for Virginia
Commonwealth and Mback a Moute, for the University of California. Their
point guard is Ekanga Ebona who plays in France's professional league.
Croatia, on the other hand, has seven players that are active in Spain's
professional league, the ACB. These are: Kus, teammate member with
Daniel Santiago in Málaga; Barac and Planicic, with Tau-Cerámica; Stojic,
with Vive Menorca; Banic with Bilbao; Kasun, Barcelona; and Marko Thomas,
with Fuenlabrada, who is teammate of Peter John Ramos.
Their main guns, Roko Ukik, Marko Popovic y Danir Markota, play for Virtus
Roma, Italia, Zakgiris Kaunas (Lituania), and the Milwaukee Bucs (NBA),
respectively. Popovic played alongside Larry Ayuso, in 2007.
This team's namesake is their height, discipline and defense.
In the crossover, Slovenia will prove to be the strongest rival, since, in
theory, neither Puerto Rico nor Croatia should loose against Canada, lead
by Leo Rautins, who were counting with Steve Nash's participation but
was unable due to injuries at the closing of the season with the Phoenix
Suns, and Korea only sports the 7'3" giant Jin Ha Seung.
Playing for Slovenia are notables like Nesterovic, Toronto Raptor's Center;
Jaka Lakovic, point guard to the Barcelona; Dormen Lorbek, shooting guard
at MMT Estudiantes of Madrid; and Smodis, small forward for the CSKA
of Moscow. They are lead by Coach Alex Pipan (Poland).
The semifinal will be held on the 19th, gaining their Olympic passports the
winners on that day. The last Olympic ticket will go to the winner of
amongst the two defeated teams from the 19th, playing on the 20th.
Puerto Rico will not play on the 14th, on the 15 they will go against Cameroon
and will battle Croatia on the 16th.
Each time a group advances, team #1 will play against team #2 and vice
versa, keeping in order with the theme A vs. B and C vs. D
Greece, for being the host, Germany, Slovenia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Croatia
and Australia are the favorites.
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Brazil earns olympic ticket
The Women's National Basketball Team of Brazil earned their right to attend the 2008 Olympic Games, to be placed in Beijing, China, later this year,
after defeating their Cuban counterparts in the final game of the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women held at Madrid, Spain, by
a score of 72 to 67.
With an outstanding performance from Micaela (22 points), the South American squad was able to overcome their defeat against Belorussia and
to the exclusion of Iziane, considered the best player of the Women's Basketball National Team of Brazil.
67 - Cuba (16+18+13+20): Gelis (5), Amargo (14), Ávila (3), Putin (16) y Boulet (14) -initial five-, Casanova (6), Soria (-), Noblet (-), Fernandez (6) and
Oquendo (-).
72 - Brazil (19+15+11+27): Claudinha (5), Micaela (22), Karla (11), Ega (2) y Kelly (10) -initial five-, Natalia (3), Mama (9), Patricia (6) y Franciele (4).
Referees: Vicente Bulto (ESP), Roberto Chiari (ITA) y Srdan Dozai (CRO).
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One on One
With
Manolo Cintrón
(Coach - Team Puerto Rico)
1- Are you satisfied with the players that were summoned for your national team and the amount of time
available to train on your way to Athens?
Yes, indeed. We have Daniel Santiago, Peter John Ramos, and Ricky Sánchez, but our main offense is still in the hands of Carlos Arroyo,
Larry Ayuso, José Juan Barea, and Filiberto Rivera. Nevertheless, the European teams are tall and play hard under the basket.
2- Whom do you consider to be the favorite teams to secure the three spots available for the Olympic Games
in Beijing?
There is no doubt that Greece is the main candidate because they will be playing as locals, alongside the fact that they won silver medal
at the last World Championship in Japan. Also Germany, Slovenia, and Brazil are dangerous mainly because of their quality. Puerto Rico
can also go head-to-head with them.
3- Do you feel that the work overload resulting from the participation of your main players in European
and national leagues, as well as in the NBA, may affect their performance?
In Puerto Rico, the final two teams played more than 50 games. From on of those teams, Carolina, we have Rivera, Bimbo Carmona, Alex
Falcón, and Luis Villafañe in our roster. Nevertheless, being tired is not justifiable when one represents the Country. With regards to the
Arroyo, Santiago, and Barea, they are well-rested.
4- Do you think that Brazil and Puerto Rico have made the transition to the so-called "modern basketball",
based on fundamentals and total performance, and so in-use in Europe right now?
Sometimes I feel that what they call "total basketball" in Europe is some sort of a fallacy. If USA goes undefeated in the Olympics in Beijingwhich is what everybody expects-no one will remember the Europeans. Now Brazil has a coach from Spain (Moncho Monsalve), who once
coached the Dominican Republic's national team, and who has no other option but to follow the quick-paced, offensive game of the Brazilians.
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One on One
With
Moncho Monsalve
(Coach - Team Brazil)
1- Are you satisfied with the players that were summoned for your national team and the amount of time
available to train on your way to Athens?
14 players replied to our first call. Five requested to be excused because of medical problems (Nenê, Anderson, Leandrinho, Paulão, and
Valtinho) and one because of a particular situation (Guilherme). As a result, I had to summon four players that were training for the South
American Championship: Duda Machado, Jonathan Tavernari, Ricardo Probst, and Fúlvio Chiantia. I can say, confidently, that this is a very
talented team, whose performance improves with every training session. It is important to highlight the dedication and effort put forward
by each of the players. For example, on July 3rd they decided to exchange their rest day for a group training session. That clearly shows
the spirit of this national team.
2- Whom do you consider to be the favorite teams to secure the three spots available for the Olympic Games
in Beijing?
I think that two of the European national teams (Greece and Croatia), and two from the Americas (Brazil and Puerto Rico), are the main
candidates for the three spots available for Beijing.
3- Do you feel that the work overload resulting from the participation of your main players in European and
national leagues, as well as in the NBA, may affect their performance?
I think that FIBA Americas and FIBA should rethink the competition schedule for the national teams. Each year we have less time to train
for the international competitions, mainly because the club championships have a time-span of nine months as well. The athletes end up
with little time to rest (days off), having to represent their country quickly after that. With that kind of schedule, it is not possible to work
out with enough time.
4- Do you think that Brazil and Puerto Rico have made the transition to the so-called "modern basketball",
based on fundamentals and total performance, and so in-use in Europe right now?
The two countries have talented players, whose personal fundamentals are very good. They also have good coaching staffs. Nevertheless,
there is the need to work with some aspects such as spacing. In other words, they need to learn to play without the ball and to improve the
ball reversal when playing five-on-five.
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By Federico Buysan
Argentina, king of south America
The South American Championship, held in Puerto Mont, Chile, finished with
a final standing that is a clear indicator of what the teams displayed on the
court.
With similar levels of execution, two teams, Argentina and Uruguay, were above
average. Venezuela and Brazil, in turn, were a step below in terms of game
quality. Colombia clearly showed some improvement, crafting a big upset to the
local Chile, who gave signs of going backwards
in their game.
At the end, Argentina was crowned champion,
playing a great final game with a spectacular
defensive effort from Quinteros over Mazzarino
and some high-level performances at the
offensive-end. And even though Quintero and
González were the main figures for Argentina
in the tournament, at the end, there were
excellent performances from Stanic, Diego
García, and Pelussi.
Uruguay failed again to reach the South
Quinteros:
American crown, leaving with a bittersweet
tournament MVP.
sensation after watching the title slip away from
their hands. It is important to note that some of the teams didn't come with
their A squads.
Brazil, with the FIBA World Pre-Olympic as a priority and with a team full of
prospects and little practice-time, kept improving throughout the tournament.
Argentina, in turn, suffered last-minute casualties and injuries, and in spite of
that, and the fact that their A squad was dreaming with Beijing, they were able
to celebrate at the end.
Venezuela also suffered casualties of their own, such as Richard Lugo and Hector
Romero; Colombia lost Stalin Ortiz; Chile, in turn, lost three players that were
left out at the last moment because some discrepancies related to a tour in
Mexico. Uruguay also faced their share of problems in a very important position.
Martín Osimani, their starting point guard, suffered an injury during a training
session, while his substitute, Fernando Martínez, was also lost just hours before
their departure.
The tournament wasn't exactly an exhibition of closed or unforgettable games,
with the match Uruguay-Argentina being arguably the most relevant; mainly due
to a coming-from-behind, fourth-quarter effort by the Uruguayans. A summary
of the action will have Argentina defeating Brazil by 34; Uruguay over Venezuela
by 18; Brazil by 10 over Venezuela; and after that, in the game for the bronze
medal, Venezuela over Brazil by 15; the ample margin of victory a watermark
of the competition. It may not be a tournament to be remembered by its high
level of competition points respectively or for the birth of new stars.
Once again, Argentina proved their ability to build competitive teams with a
winning attitude. Leading that team was Paolo Quintero (Finals MVP), and Roman
Gonzalez, but the affinity of the players in both
ends of the court was enough to justify their
title.
Uruguay displayed a great base for the future
with players to be developed, since it is a
relatively young team. Osimani, García Morales,
Aguiar, Páez, Batista, Barrera, and Izaguirre, all
have a secured spot on the team. They were
competitive all throughout the competition, but
lacked balance in their collective game, which
may have short-handed their aspirations to the
title.
Venezuela achieved a well-deserved third place.
Mazzarino:
However, their last impression was not that of
Uruguay’s big gun.
a solid team. They are currently undergoing a
renovation process, with a new head coach, and had to face the absence of
Lugo and Romero. They have a young base of players, with a natural leader in
Torres, a good tournament by Axier Sucre, but they tend to be a bit passive in
their defense. Certainly, more was expected from them.
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Referee’s, necessary key
on the new FIBA reglamentation approval.
Rule Changes Part 2
Official Basketball Rules 2010:
The amendments to the rules presented below will take effect as follows:
For first level competitions/Level 1 (Main Official FIBA Competitions such
as: Olympic Tournaments, World Championships (Men and Women), FIBA
World U19 and U17 Championships (Men and Women) and Zone/Continental
Championships (Men and Women)): beginning on October 1st, 2010, after
the 2010 World Championship.
For mid level competitions/Level 2 (The rest of Official FIBA Competitions
and First Level National Federation Competitions): beginning on October
1st, 2012, after the 2012 Olympic Games in London, U.K.
Art. 2.2.3 Free Throw Line and Restrictive Areas
Restrictive areas will be the rectangular shape as marked at the game
court.
The restrictive area (3 seconds) will be rectangular (not trapezoidal) from
now on.
Within the last two (2) minutes of the game and the extended period, after
the team with the ball has been granted a time out at their defense zone,
the ball will be put into the game from the opposite side of the Control
Table at the lateral outside lines and not from the central extended line
as it is done now.
Art. 2.2.7 No offensive foul semi-circle
The semi-circles of "No offensive Fouls" must be identified in the game
court, under the baskets. The distance from the interior borders of the
semi-circles will be 1.25 m from the center point below the basket. (On
the floor)
A play that would otherwise be sanctioned as an offensive foul cannot be
sanctioned as such, if the contact between the offensive and the defensive
players occur when the defensive player is standing within the "No
Offensive Foul Semi-Circle".
Art. 29 Twenty Four Seconds
If an out-of-bounds pass was granted on the defensive end outside is
administered in the defense zone, if required by the respective rules, the
twenty four second clock will be reset to 24 seconds again.
Art. 2.2.4 Three point shooting zone
The distance to the three point line will now be placed at 6.75 m (as
opposed to the present 6.25 m placement)
Art. 2.2.6 Lateral outside lines
Two (2) small lines will be drawn outside the game court, on the opposite
side of the Control Table and the team benches, with the exterior border
at a distance of 8.325 m from the interior border to the end of the line.
In other words, they will be aligned with the upper or superior part of the
three point line.
If an out-of-bounds pass is granted on the offensive end, as required by
the respective rules, the twenty four second clock will be reset again as
follows:
If the clock marks at least 14 seconds at the moment the game stops, the
twenty four second clock will not be reset and will continue from then on.
If there are less that 14 seconds at the moment the game stops, the twenty
four second clock will be reset to 14 seconds and the game will commence
from then on.
Federations
Federación de Brasil (BRA)
Federación de baloncesto de Puerto Rico (PUR)
Contact Details:
Confederaçao Brasileira de Basketball
Avenida Río Branco 245-16° Andar Centro RJ, 20040-009 Río de Janeiro
Tel. 1: +55 (21) 25443193
Tel. 2: +55 (21) 25443316
Tel. 3: +55 (21) 92216537
Fax. 1: +55 (21) 25441521
Fax. 2: +55 (21) 22404042
E-mail: cbb@cbb.com.br; presidente@cbb.com.br
Website: www.cbb.com.br
Contact Details:
Federación de Baloncesto de Puerto Rico
Ave. Fernandez Juncos 1611, 00908 San Juan
Po. Box 363947 , 00936-3947 San Juan
Tel. 1: +1 (787) 7261526
Tel. 2: +1 (787) 7261147
Tel. 3: +1 (787) 7261013
Fax.: +1 (787) 7260613
E-mail: federacion@fbpur.com
Website: www.fbpur.com
Quick Facts
720 Registered Clubs
36,000 Licensed Female Players
96,000 Licensed Male Players
42,000 Unlicensed Players
Date of Affiliation to FIBA: 1935
Rank on FIBA Ranking: 18
officials Sponsors
President
Mr. Reyes, Héctor M.
Press Contact
Mr. Delgado, Pablo
Quick Facts
Date of Affiliation to FIBA: 1957
Rank on FIBA Ranking: 12
STAFF
President
Mr. Bozikis, Gerasime Nicolas
Javier Otero - FIBA-Americas Communication Director
Chu García - Editor
Alberto Ortiz - Communications/IT Assistant
Néstor Rodríguez - Eligibility & Doping Control
Fernando Luis Rolón - Creative Director & Photographer
Gary Williams - Photographer
FIBA-Americas Picture Archive & El Nuevo Día Newspaper
AmEricas
Leyend
Ruperto Herrera
by Carlos Uriarte González
He continued practicing and playing in the national tournament with Industriales and
was considered among the best 10. His physique was changing and soon was measuring 6'6",
gained a few more pounds and some muscle, turning him into a forward with a good shot, speed and strong under the boards.
In 1965, only 16 years old, he started his participation in the National Basketball Team and his first event was a tour across Europe where his team
faced their counterparts from Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. A few months later, he traveled to Mexico City where his team
was to take part of the first Centrobasket Championship, and in which he won his first international medal, a Bronze Medal. From that moment on and
until his retirement as international player, after the CAC Games celebrated in Habana, Cuba, Ruperto Herrera was the best basketball player of his native
country, Cuba. He was present with his team in no less than 6 Centrobasket Championships, 5 CAC Games, 4 Pan-American Games, 4 Olympic Games
and 3 Inter University Tournaments.
Amongst his many achievements the Bronze Medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics and 1971 Pan-American Games - where Cuba defeated the United
States, denying then a medal for the first time in history -, forth place at the World Championship of 1974 in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Gold Medals in
the CAC Games of 1974 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and in the CAC Games of 1982 in Habana, Cuba. All in all, he had an international career
spanning 18 years and played in 400 international games, defending against the best forwards of the era in CAC Games of, highlighting moments played
against luminaries like Mexico's Arturo Guerrero and Puerto Rico's Raymond Dalmau who developed a fierce sporting rivalry wherever they met at the
international courts.
With Piculín Ortiz, Puerto Rico's basketball glory.
Many are the memories that he has as a player, but he firmly says that "My best moment in my career at the 1972 Olympic Games at Munich, especially
that game that we played Italy for the Bronze Medal". He also adds with ease that "the couch that hold in the highest regard was Carmelo Ortega, who
guided my formation and my education", my best rivals "were without a doubt Arturo Guerrero and Raymond Dalmau; they were players with a lot of
resources."
He retired from as a placer at the age of 32 and went on to become a Physical Culture Professor, his studied profession of which he graduated at
top of his class in 1977. In 1995 a phase of his life started as he became the president of the Basketball Federation of Cuba, after Marcia Salas stepped
down from office. He is currently in his 22nd year of presidency of Cuba's Basketball. In 1997, after the death of Manuel Gonzalez Guerra, he is given
one of the vice-presidencies of the Olympic Committee of Cuba under the leadership of José Ramón Fernandez.
His contributions to basketball in America and the World are many and of the highest caliber, and has received many acknowledgements, due to his
sense of duty and loyalty towards the sport, like the FIBA Merit Order, Highest award presented by FIBA, and has been proposed to be immortalized in
the FIBA Hall of Fame.
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