TORRELAVEGA (FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017) - The FIBA Women's Asia Cup is now expected to be a tougher event with both Australia and New Zealand in the field but don't be fooled into thinking Japan can't claim a third straight title.

The Far East team is doing everything it can to pull off that feat. New head coach Tom Hovasse took a provisional squad on recent trip to the United States for some games against WNBA sides.

The coach now has 15 players in Spain as part of a European tour that will last just over three weeks.

Japan are presently in Torrelavega, Cantabria, in the north of Spain. They will square off against Canada and Spain in friendly games on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

In the NIKE FIBA World Ranking Women, last year's Olympic silver medalists Spain are No. 2, Canada No. 6 and Japan No. 13.

Japan's most famous player, WNBA star Ramu Tokashiki, is currently in the USA playing for the Seattle Storm but Hovasse's talented squad won't be backing down against either foe.

The Japanese will also travel to FYR Macedonia and Serbia, with the tour concluding on 12 June.

The FIBA Women's Asia Cup will be staged in Bangalore, India, 23-29 July.

Japan will play in Group B against the Philippines, South Korea and Australia. All four sides will advance to the knockout round with the countries that reach the Semi-Finals clinching spots in the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. 

FIBA