The basketball world is buzzing with anticipation as two national teams—Venezuela’s men’s squad and Argentina’s women’s adapted team—find themselves at pivotal moments on the international stage. With the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 just around the corner for Venezuela, and Argentina’s “Las Lobas” coming off a hard-fought Copa América campaign in Bogotá, both sides are writing compelling new chapters in their sporting histories.
Venezuela’s national men’s basketball team, led by the seasoned Ronald Guillén and his technical staff of Yonaiker Ecker, Alexis Cedres, and Diego Vázquez, is gearing up for the FIBA AmeriCup, set to take place at the Alexis Argüello Complex in Managua, Nicaragua, from August 22 to 31, 2025. The squad’s preparations have been anything but casual. Training sessions at the José Joaquín “Papá” Carrillo Gymnasium in Sebucán and the National High Performance Center for Basketball, “El Poliedrito,” have been intense and purposeful, with the team’s eyes firmly set on making a mark in Group B.
The Venezuelan roster is a blend of youthful promise and veteran leadership. The preselection includes Jean Aranguren, José Ascanio, Elián Centeno, Anyelo Cisneros, David Cubillán, Luis Duarte, Fernando Fuenmayor, Carlos Fulda, Windi Graterol, Yeferson Guerra, Carlos Lemus, Carlos López, Andrés Marrero, Enrique Medina, Edwin Mijares, Franger Pirela, Fabrizio Pugliatti, Yohanner Sifontes, Jhonny Tovar, and Kender Urbina. With so many fresh faces, the presence of veterans like Windi Graterol and, especially, captain David Cubillán is invaluable. Nine of the players have never competed in a FIBA AmeriCup, and two are yet to debut with the senior national team.
Cubillán’s journey with the national team began in 2007, and after 16 tournaments—including qualifiers for the FIBA AmeriCup and the World Cup—he has become synonymous with leadership and resilience. Reflecting on his career, Cubillán told the Department of Press of the Venezuelan Basketball Federation, “My first call-up was in 2007. I was 19. It was for the Pre-Olympic in Las Vegas. I was the last one cut, and that hurt a lot. I said: ‘Next time, I’ll make the team.’ Then they called me in 2010 for the South American in Neiva, and since then I’ve been with the national team for 15 years.”
His role now is as much about mentorship as it is about on-court performance. “Being with these young players is a privilege. Now I’m in a different role, trying to educate, to teach, to be a mentor. We know these are our last call-ups, and we want to pass on all our knowledge to the young ones. How to behave on and off the court, the values that have been our flag for so many years,” Cubillán explained. He’s quick to point out that leadership is not just about words but also about setting a daily example: “Respect is something you earn, and I’ve earned it. I feel they (the young players) respect me first as a person and then as a player. I try to lead by example. In training, I give 100% to show them how to work. This time, I’m focused on passing on my knowledge. Every time I see something I can help them with, I will. It fulfills me and can help them become better.”
The upcoming AmeriCup is particularly meaningful for Cubillán. He missed the 2017 and 2022 editions, making this his first appearance at the tournament since Venezuela’s championship run in 2015. “It’s always special to play the AmeriCup. The first one I played was in Mar del Plata, and it was one of the best tournaments I’ve had with the national team. After that feat we achieved in Mexico, this is special. We go with a wonderful feeling. It brings back memories for all of us,” he shared. Venezuela’s campaign begins with a challenging opener against Canada on August 22, followed by group stage clashes with Puerto Rico and Panama. Their group is stacked, with only the top teams progressing, while the other groups feature heavyweights like the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and the host nation Nicaragua.
Meanwhile, the Argentine women’s adapted basketball team, affectionately known as “Las Lobas,” just wrapped up a dramatic run at the Copa América de Básquet Adaptado Femenino in Bogotá, Colombia, from August 9 to 14, 2025. Their journey was filled with highs and lows, ultimately finishing in fourth place after a 63–51 loss to Canada in the third-place match. The result means Argentina will have to fight for a World Championship spot in a repechage, as only the top three teams—United States, Brazil, and Canada—earned direct qualification to the 2026 World Championship.
“Las Lobas” had a rollercoaster ride through the tournament. In the group stage, they suffered a tough opening defeat to the United States, 74–32, but bounced back with victories over Peru (53–18) and Mexico (58–28), securing second place in Zone A. The quarterfinals saw them edge past Colombia 39–28, earning a place in the semifinals. There, they faced a formidable Brazilian team and fell 50–39, setting up the third-place showdown with Canada.
The roster for Argentina featured Mariana Pérez, Jazmín Cabral, Liz Paré, Julieta Olmedo, Luna Díaz (from Catamarca), Florencia González, Mariana Redi, Fernanda Pallares, Silvia Linari, Evangelina Paiva, Morena Coria, and Anahí Vera. The technical staff was led by head coach Carlos Cardarelli, with assistant coaches Manuel Cairo and Lucas Barolin, and kinesiologist Valeria Ferreyra providing essential support.
Despite falling short of an automatic World Championship berth, “Las Lobas” have plenty to be proud of. Their resilience, especially in the knockout stages, demonstrated the depth of talent and heart in the squad. The experience gained in Bogotá will be crucial as they prepare for the repechage—a last shot at making it to the 2026 World Championship.
As the basketball calendar heats up, Venezuela’s men’s team and Argentina’s “Las Lobas” are both poised for defining moments. While Venezuela’s young guns look to their veterans for guidance and inspiration ahead of a tough AmeriCup campaign, Argentina’s women are regrouping, determined to seize their second chance at global glory. With so much at stake, fans from both nations have every reason to be glued to the action in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as these teams continue their quests—one for continental supremacy, the other for a ticket to the world stage. The next chapter promises to be unmissable.
