By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Two different emerging stories after Spain claims the win, 81-71, against Argentina on Thursday.
Ricky Rubio after recovering from an early injury punched in a team-high 26 points, also a personal-best in FIBA competitions. He was coming off 22 points in the opener. He made 8/13 field goals, including 5/6 threes in his second appearance in Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena.
The team led by Sergio Scariolo fought its way out of a nine-point hole and remained in charge for most of the Group C fixture of the Olympic Games basketball tournament.
Sergio Llull contributed ten points. Pau Gasol ended up with nine points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Spain improving to 2-0 secured a ticket for the quarterfinals. Sunday’s game versus Slovenia will finish up the preliminary round and determine whether La Roja will be seeded for the quarterfinals draw.
On the losing end, Argentina suffered an early exit of Patricio Garino due to injury. The South American powerhouse will face host Japan on Sunday with the winning side securing third place and a chance to advance among the two best third-placed sides of the three groups.
Nicolas Laprovittola, a recent addition to FC Barcelona from Real Madrid, carried the offensive load but his 27 points were not enough. Luis Scola followed with 13 points.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL