2020 Olympics/PUR@JPN/Capsule
The home team of Japan kicked off their Olympic campaign with a disappointing 111-79 loss to the underdogs of Puerto Rico, led by Vera La Tiérra (Red Fox, G) to a surprising win and early lead in their group. The Williamsburg Minutemen franchise player shocked the Japanese by posting an extremely solid display of 30 points, 11 assists, partnering up with Carol Quiñones (Wolf, F/C) to set up stunning plays that threw the home crowd for a loop as the islanders easily came back from an early deficit and never relinquished the lead. The only bright note from Japan came by two players who didn't compete four years ago, when the Asian times was eliminated in the group phase - Shirley Takamoto (Jaguar, F/G), who decided to jump to Japanese citizenship to play the Games at home, and 4-year veteran Takeru Ishijima (Siberian Tiger, F), whose lack of offensive prowess didn't deter from posting a good showing of 13 rebounds. It remains to be seen whether the Japanese can regroup in what is already perceived as an in-or-out game against the defending silver medalists of Great Britain.
-A. Villaraigosa, FurryOlympics.com