CHN – Confidence grows in Chinese camp ahead of Test event

BEIJING (Olympic Test Event) - Veteran China coach Tom Maher is in fighting mood heading into Saturday’s clash against Korea – his team’s opener at the 2008 Beijing Basketball Test Event For Women.

The two sides will clash after earlier games pitting New Zealand against Cuba and the United States against fellow heavyweights Australia, and Maher is expecting to see his national team turn in an impressive performance and the main reason why is because of his players’ fitness.

"We have a healthy roster, it is very important for us," Maher said.

"Our starting players made some great rehabilitation, now everybody is fit. The healthy roster really gives me a lot of confidence."

Among those whose status had been up in the air was Sui Feifei , a member of Bayi’s WCBA title-winning side this season.

Sui was outstanding in the WCBA Finals earlier this year when she averaged almost 22 points per game despite playing on a sprained ankle.

That injury has healed and she will be on the court against the Koreans.

Two other national team stars are coming off big seasons in the WCBA.

Chen Nan was voted MVP of the play-offs and Miao Lijie was the MVP of the regular season.

Maher was thrilled when the trio showed up at training camp.

"The return of these talented players brings great changes to the team," Maher said in remarks to the China Daily.

"I will now add some intensity to their training."

Mayer is confident that he thinks China, if they remain fit and have a good start to the tournament, could contend for a medal.

When asked if he believes the Chinese women might be able to spring an upset against quality opponents like the United States, Russia or world champions Australia, one of the sides Maher himself once coached, he said: “"Whoever gets into the top four can win games.

"Would it be a big upset to beat one of the big three? Yes. That would be fantastic, but it is not impossible.”

FIBA