BRUNO Fernando is optimistic that Angola’s preparation for the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup has made the team competitive in the group that includes the Philippines.
The Atlanta Hawks cager said Angola was able to prepare for two months for the World Cup, confident that their build-up would translate on the court.
“We are all positive,” said the 25-year-old Fernando during media availability. “We had good preparation. The team had a nice two months preparation. It’s been great, getting to be around the guys and play, get a feel for each other.”
Angola struggled to capture wins during their official preparation matches over the past weeks, winning just once in five outings.
But Fernando, making his Fiba Basketball World Cup debut, is confident that Angola would eventually turn things around as the team is built on a young core.
“The World Cup is a different stage. Our team is mostly new. Only a couple of guys had experience before playing in the Fiba World Cup. We will try to use that experience from those guys being there, as much as we can, to make sure that it rubs off with everybody else on the team. Me, myself have a job to do out there, being able to force the younger guys that’s never been before like myself.”
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“We are excited. We are very, very positive and excited to get out there on the court. Once the ball goes up in the air, everything is decided in the game,” said Fernando.
Fernando is just one of the four current NBA players that is playing in Group A, with Jordan Clarkson of the Philippines, Karl-Anthony Towns of Dominican Republic, and Simone Fontecchio of Italy also in the team roster.
Fernando said Angola, the lowest ranked team in Group A at 41 but just one rung lower than the Philippines, will do its best in all the matches.
“Obviously, all those teams are great teams, great players. Philippines has a homecourt advantage playing at home. We are going to try to fight them and the crowd as much as we can.”
“Italy is a great team. Powerhouse.”
“And Dominican Republic, obviously, Karl-Anthony Towns has given them a lot of power and strength. We are going to try our best. We are going to fight as much as we can. Like I said, once the ball goes up, the best one must win,” said Fernando.
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