Maher ready to take aim at Rio berth

BEIJING (2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament) – China coach Tom Maher has warned other Rio de Janeiro Games hopefuls that his team will be "hell bent on qualifying" for this summer's Olympics.

The Chinese, who will play in Group D with Spain and Venezuela of the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, will pull out all stops to reach Brazil. 

Veteran play-caller Maher says that while his team cannot consider itself one of the favorites to claim a spot in the Summer Games when the action tips-off in Nantes, France, on 13 June, he and the players will be determined to make it.

"Obviously we are hell bent on qualifying. And, we'll be making every effort to do just that. - Maher

Maher says that like the previous two OQTs, the European teams will like their chances of booking spots in Rio. At the 2008 event in Madrid, Latvia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Belarus and Brazil took the five berths while in 2012 in Ankara, France, the Czechs, Croatia, Turkey and Canada were successful in claiming places in the London Games.

At this year's WOQT in June, France, Spain, Belarus and Turkey will be Europe's representatives with the rest of the field consisting of New Zealand, Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela, Cameroon, Nigeria, China and Korea.

"I think all the European teams are going to be fancied," Maher said. "Spain and France are [ranked] three and four in the world (respectively) and should make it."

Maher anticipates a Quarter-Final clash for his China team and Belarus, with the winner progressing to Rio. Belarus are in Group C with Korea and Nigeria.

"We've beaten Belarus in the last two outings," he said.

China have indeed been a bogey team for Belarus. At the 2008 Olympics, Maher was in his previous stint at the helm of the team and led them to a Quarter-Final triumph over a Belarus side that had many of the players in the current squad, as well as coach Anatoli Buyalski.

At the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, Belarus suffered a fourth-quarter collapse against China, with Maher's squad outscoring them 25-7 in the frame. The Chinese won, 72-67, with Shao Ting pouring in 23 points.

That Belarus team did not have Anastasiya Verameyenka, though, with the sweet-shooting power forward taking a year off to have a baby. She returned for the EuroBasket Women 2015. Belarus also shored up what had been a weakness in recent years at point guard by adding American Lindsey Harding.

"But, I see they now have their American naturalised player in Lindsey Harding and of course Yelena Leuchanka is a superstar," Maher said.

Leuchanka has been one of the best players in international basketball since the EuroBasket Women 2007 when she helped Belarus finish third. She has been playing in the WCBA again this season, so Maher knows her current game as well as anybody.

Meanwhile, China fans are already getting excited about the news of former national team star, Nan Chen, returning to the team.

With an outstanding Olympic pedigree to her name, her veteran know-how and input could be priceless. 

"Nan Chen is something of an experiment," explained Maher. "But, she is back with us and building her fitness base. She's not dynamic just yet, but she's running and we have our fingers crossed."

China finished runners-up to Japan last year at the FIBA Asia Women's Championship. After pushing their rivals close early in the tournament, Japan blew out the Chinese in the title game, 85-50, and qualified directly for Rio.

FIBA