PANAMA (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - After missing out on the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, Panama will return to the competition in Mexico (31 August-12 September) with high hopes thanks to good preparations.

Michael Hicks, one of the team's leading figures, emphasises the team's attitude as what makes them a candidate to achieve Olympic qualification.

It was a good team performance and a joy for our people, because for 17 years basketball of this level had not been seen in the country. - Hicks

As part of the team's preparations for the FIBA Americas Championship, Panama's Basketball Federation successfully hosted the traditional Copa Latina, which was a success in more ways than one. The team took the title after beating Costa Rica, Israel and Cuba while there was a great response by the public who attended the games.

"We were able to show our fans that the team will do everything possible to get one of the tickets for the Olympic Games and we also saw that the new leadership of the Federation is doing a good job to return Panamanian basketball to the level it was years ago," Hicks said of what hosting and winning the Copa Latina meant to the country.

As for the virtues that the Panamanian team showed, the forward said: "We have the team to fight for a good position in the tournament. I like the attitude of the whole team. We showed that we are willing to give everything to achieve that goal.

Hicks though did issue one warning.

"We must continue working on the defensive aspect, because in one game we decreased the level. That cannot happen in Mexico. We have to maintain the same defensive rhythm throughout the match," said the 39-year-old forward.

In contrast to recent years, the Panamanian team held good preparations, both in terms of time spent as a group and scheduling of warm-up games. This left everyone satisfied, coaching staff and players alike.

"We didn't have preparations like this, looking forward to the FIBA Americas Championship, in years," Hicks pointed out.

"It is clear that the new leadership of the federation has made every effort to get the team ready and in rhythm for the competition."

Looking to the tournament itself, he offered: "It will be very competitive and even. There will be little margin of error for the two Olympic spots. We will look to qualify, but we know it will not be an easy task. The chances increase if we do things well every night and take it one game at a time, as if it were the Final."

Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship. 

FIBA