Canada's Wiggins shines on senior team debut at Tuto Marchand Cup

SAN JUAN (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Andrew Wiggins made his long-awaited bow for Canada's senior team at the Tuto Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico on Sunday as the team revs up its preparations for the upcoming FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City (31 August- 12 September).

The Canadians will be aiming to reach the Final of the tournament to clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games, although third place will be good enough to reach the Olympics if Brazil make it to the title game.

As debuts go, Wiggins had a very good one.

He poured in 18 points as Canada beat Argentina, 85-80.

We have a good group of guys and I'm looking forward to all the years to come. - Wiggins

"It felt good," said Wiggins, who is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign in the NBA.

"It felt like I was playing [at] home, playing for my country with pride, just trying to win."

Canada got strong performances from a whole cast of characters, including one of their other NBA players, Anthony Bennett.

He finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Bennett and Wiggins are both on the books of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"That was a very good first game for us," Canada coach Jay Triano said.

"Argentina is a good basketball team, they stayed right with us.

"For a lot of our players, it's the first time on the senior national team and we've got a lot of work ahead of us."

Also on opening day, Puerto Rico beat the Brazilians, 79-66.

Renaldo Balkman had 16 points for the Boricuas.

Canada are back in action on Monday against Brazil at the Tuto Marchand Cup, which runs 23-27 August.

In Monday's second game, the Puerto Ricans will go after a second straight win when they take on the Dominican Republic.

All five of the teams taking part in this week's event will be at the FIBA Americas Championship.

Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA