BRA/ARG – Brazilians overcome 28-point Scola to win Marchand Cup opener

SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas Championship) - Leandro Barbosa and Tiago Splitter had big games for Brazil in a 91-76 triumph over Argentina in Monday’s opening game of the II Marchand Continental Championship Cup.

In the final warm-up event for both sides before the start of the FIBA Americas Championship, Brazil took advantage of Pablo Prigioni's absence from the Argentina line-up with Barbosa scoring 18 points and Tiago Splitter adding 14 with nine rebounds.

Another Herculean effort from Luis Scola, who had a game-high 28 points for Argentina, wasn't enough for Sergio Hernández's team.

Barbosa, who also had seven rebounds, said: "I am sure that each of us can play even better than today.

"It's just a matter of getting the small details right, but we handed out our business card.

"Brazil are on course to secure a seat at the World Championship, and in future, the Olympics."

Splitter felt good about the team's performance.

"We had a good defense, worked the ball well in attack and had to restore calm when our 19-point lead was cut to seven early in the fourth period.

"We know that we still have to improve for the FIBA Americas Championship, but the group is to be congratulated on this victory."

Brazil coach Moncho Monsalve was pleased as well.

"The team showed a good standard of work on defense and in attack," he said.

"We had good moments and opened up an advantage of 19 points.

"That was when I inserted some young players and the difference dropped to seven points.

"We came back with the veteran players and they led us to the victory. We still need to get better in certain aspects on defense and offense for the FIBA Americas Championship, so we will make good use of the games against Puerto Rico and Canada."

Winning this warm-up event is not essential for Brazil.

"Of course I want to be champion," Monsalve said, "but it is also very important to have the team ready for the FIBA Americas Championship."

FIBA