CARACAS (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Nestor "Che" Garcia hails from Argentina, but he makes no secret of his love for Venezuela.

The coach of Guaros de Lara, and Venezuela's men's national team, would like nothing more than to accomplish something wonderful this summer at the FIBA Americas Championship for the South American country, but it's going to be a tall order.

Venezuela will aim to get to the Final of the event, which would be enough to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

But they are going to have survive a Group B that has Argentina, Puerto Rico, Canada and Cuba.

After that, Venezuela will take on the top four sides from a Group A that consists of the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Panama.

"The two groups are difficult," Garcia said.

"In ours, it seems to be that Argentina and Puerto Rico are the two countries that historically qualify.

"Canada are going through a regeneration and are adding important players.

"Some of them are playing in the NBA.

"They are probably going to go with a great team."

Garcia has the opportunity to avenge a narrow defeat to Argentina from two years ago.

"With Argentina, we lost at the end (of the game) at the FIBA Americas Championship and with Puerto Rico as well," Garcia said.

We face a really tough group. - Garcia

Venezuela suffered a huge disappointment even before that event two years ago.

They hosted the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and exited after two games, despite beating Nigeria in their opener.

Their margin of defeat to Lithuania in their second game was big and led to their elimination on a goal-differential tie-breaker, with both the Nigerians and Lithuanians advancing instead.

The African and Baltic teams went on to claim two of the three qualifying spots for the London Games.

In Venezuela, it's been a long time since the national team qualified for an Olympics.

They made it to the 1992 Barcelona Games but haven't reached an Olympics since.

Despite the tough games ahead this year, Garcia genuinely believes his team has a fighting chance to make it to Rio.

I have a lot of faith in my players. - Garcia

"I am the first to get excited more than anyone else," Garcia said.

"I love this country.

"To qualify for the Olympic Games would be something sublime, just as the heroes of Portland qualified in 1992."

At that FIBA Americas Championship, Venezuela made a stunning run to the Final before falling to the USA Dream Team.

"It would be something just as difficult, and as important," Garcia said.

Venezuela's battling performances in recent years has made them an attractive opponent for other teams preparing for international tournaments.

"We have been invited to many places and I'm really happy the Venezuelan team is valued by others," Garcia said to El Universal.

FIBA