MANU Ginobili will not be playing against Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup after the San Antonio Spurs barred its veteran guard from playing for Argentina in the Spain showpiece.
According to a report by the San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford wrote a letter to the Argentinian basketball federation saying Ginobili cannot suit up for his national team in the August 30-September 14 tournament owing to an injury.
According to the report, the Spurs said Ginobili needs to rest for eight weeks due to a stress fracture in his right fibula that was discovered after the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat to win the NBA crown.
Ginobili had planned to suit up for Argentina this year after a self-imposed hiatus, expressing his intention to join the national squad in a newspaper column.
Ginobili had also felt optimistic about his availability for the national team despite the injury.
Gilas Pilipinas is bracketed with Ginobili's Argentina in Group B of the Fiba World Cup in Spain. The two are scheduled to meet on September 1 in Sevilla.
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