Blazing-hot Bertans is only getting started

BELGRADE (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Dairis Bertans was the top performer of Day 1 at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, with an efficiency rating of 27.

The sharp-shooter talked to FIBA.com shortly after pouring in 20 points in 18 minutes to lead Latvia to a dominant 88-48 win against Japan in Monday's premiere.

You got the hot hand right from tip-off although everybody else on the team looked a bit rusty at first, so what's your secret to an explosive start?
Bertans: I don't know really, that's the way I play, that's the way I try to start every game. The team needed a little bit of fire and I tried to provide it.

Is such a great opening game the ideal way to go into Tuesday's clash with the Czech Republic that could give you top spot in Group B?
Bertans: It went more or less the way we wanted and hoped, we didn't think about what they do but we focused on our game and it worked out well. None of us had to play lots of time, we could share the minutes so nobody is tired. I would say it was a good game to get warmed-up and to get us going. But we have no pressure, the only team that has pressure here is Serbia.

Will revenge for last year's loss at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 be on your mind when you step out against Czech Republic on Tuesday?
Bertans: I don't think it's about revenge at all, we are only thinking about this game right here, how we are going to play and how to go forward. I think that despite the big win [against Japan] we have the same chances we had yesterday, so we just have to keep working.

FIBA