Japan beat Argentina twice in build-up to Rio
BUENOS AIRES (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - FIBA Asia Women's champions Japan entered South America in style by beating Argentina twice in a warm-up series before heading to next month's Rio Olympics.
After prevailing 71-50 on Friday, Japan came up even stronger on Saturday outscoring the hosts 75-34.
代表：【試合結果】平成28年度女子日本代表チーム 第6次強化合宿(南米遠征)
— 日本バスケットボール協会(JBA) (@JAPANBASKETBALL) 23 July 2016
■第1戦
日本(JPN) ○ 71-50 ● アルゼンチン(ARG)
(14-9, 19-9, 12-18, 26-14)#AkatsukiFive pic.twitter.com/Bfc7fhYAX5
Playing without Gisela Vega, Macarena Rosset, and Sthefany Thomas has proven challenging for Christian Santander's team.
As much as Andrea Boquete tried to row against the tide leading the South Americans with a team-best 7 points and 7 rebounds, the Japanese remained in total control of the contest.
Las 12 que jugarán hoy vs Japón: García León, Leiva, Durso, Pérez, Ale, Llorente, Gretter, Boquete, Aispurúa, González, Burani y Fiorotto.
— CABB (@cabboficial) 22 July 2016
Mika Kurihara paced the East Asians with a game-high 15 points, and Rui Machida added 10 points and six assists.
In the process, Tomohide Utsumi's team increased their winning run to 5-0 in preparation games.
Crónica del segundo amistoso de Las Gigantes ante Japón https://t.co/1rtzzkeYMA
— Manu Niel (@ManuNiel) 24 July 2016
Early this month, Japan had hosted and thumped Rio-bound Senegal in a three-game warm-up series.
代表：リオデジャネイロオリンピック開幕まで、あと15日！
— 日本バスケットボール協会(JBA) (@JAPANBASKETBALL) 21 July 2016
［JBA大会特設サイト］https://t.co/xlJRjODSUk #AkatsukiFive #Rio2016 #basketball #がんばれニッポン pic.twitter.com/sIzPYDAZ3A
The Japanese can't wait to make to make their first Olympics appearance since 2004.
At the Rio Games, they they have been drawn in Group A alongside Belarus, Turkey, France, Brazil and Australia.
FIBA
