BUENOS AIRES (2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - Argentina national team veteran Gisela Vega is vowing to come back from her ACL injury stronger than ever when she steps back onto the court in 2015.

Having been struck down by a serious injury to her left knee when playing against Chile at the South American Championship for Women in Ambato, Vega is undergoing the long slog of rehabilitation.

Hopes had been high that Argentina could finally take down a Brazil team in transition at the tournament, but losing Vega in the last group game delivered a cruel blow to their hopes of taking the title.

It also stopped their most talented and recognised player in her tracks and resigned the forward to a long road to recovery - although it is one she is embracing in a quest to bounce back.

I am training to come back better than ever and this is my challenge. - Vega

"It was the first major injury of my career and came in a rather unexpected moment," declared Vega, who has based herself in Buenos Aires for her recovery period - something which she has admitted is also a mental challenge.

"I'm now at the stage of greatly strengthening the knee and God willing, within a month I could start jogging.

"I'm in a better, more active stage and I like it a lot more, because I can do exercises and movements.

"In addition to strengthening my knee, I am strengthening my head too as I know this next stage is hard if there is pain or things you can't do.

"You have to start from scratch, not only with the leg, but in the movements and physical preparation."

The initial trauma of the injury hit Vega hard and she confessed that the early days were painful in more ways than one, but that she is now in a much better place.

"I cried for two days in Ambato and it was a shock," she admitted.

"The truth is now I have no anxiety, I have no trouble. I take it as being in the past.

"I do not care to play or catch a ball, I'm not anxious, I do not go to the doctor and ask how much time is left for when I can return.

"I take it step by step and the feelings are all positive looking ahead."

While Vega is trying to be well balanced in her efforts to get back onto the hardwood again, it hasn't gone unnoticed that the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Canada would be a good place to return.

Most notably as it is a gateway to the Olympics in Rio - a destination that every Argentina player desperately wants to go to.

There are some very important and very challenging commitments for 2015. - Vega

"Everything that I have which is bad now, I want to turn in positive," she explained.

"I know what is coming is important and we can't fail. We have huge challenges and we can make history, because going to an Olympic Games is the dream of every athlete.

"I have confidence in my work and I'll fight every day to achieve my objectives with the national team," added the 32-year-old.

FIBA