TOKYO (Japan) - Once upon a time, Ricky Rubio's weakness was deemed to be his inability to shoot the ball from the perimeter.

That is no longer the case - and certainly not in recent times with Spain's national team. Don't tell Argentina that Rubio can't shoot it from long range because on Thursday, he was as hot as a firecracker. Rubio connected on five of six attempts from beyond the arc and had a game-high 26 points in an 81-71 triumph over Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics.

Rubio, whose points haul was the highest it's ever been with the national team, is the Player of the Day.

The point guard has always been a tough defender and a terrific passer, but he is now the leading scorer, too.

His 20 points led the team in their first victory at the Olympics, an 88-77 triumph over Japan. His 16.4 points per game gave Rubio the highest average for Spain at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China when he was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

On Thursday, he excelled in other aspects, too, making plays that sucked the life out of Argentina as Spain clinched a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

One particular sequence midway through the third quarter showed just how imperious he is.

Argentina trailed 49-45 and had the ball after Marcos Delia rebounded Willy Hernangomez's missed layup.

Delia attempted a pass to a teammate only for Rubio to swoop in for an interception and then pull up at the three-point line before burying a jumper for 52-45 advantage.

Rubio's previous best scoring performance for Spain had been 25 points, also against Argentina, in a warmup game for the 2019 World Cup.

Rubio went on to lead Spain to their second world title. 

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Rubio never takes his foot off the pedal on the basketball court

With Spain looking to build some momentum in Japan in the hope of achieving a fourth consecutive finish on the podium - they were silver medalists in 2008 and 2012 and bronze medalists in 2016 - Rubio joined elite company in Spanish national team hoops history on Thursday.

Only Josep Maria Margall (twice), Alberto Herreros (twice), Nikola Mirotic, and current teammates Rudy Fernandez and Pau Gasol, had made five three-pointers in an Olympic game.

Now Rubio's name is on that list.

FIBA