A 23-point loss to the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury in a Sunday exhibition game in Phoenix was the first big test for the Japan women's national basketball team as it prepares for the 25th FIBA Asia Championship for Women.

The continental competition is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, starting on Oct. 27, and new advisor coach Herb Brown believes Japan benefited from facing the Mercury as its first foe after commencing team workouts at the Ajinomoto National Training Center in Tokyo on May 1.

"Our stay in Arizona has been worthwhile and enjoyable," Brown told The Japan Times via email late Tuesday evening. "Coach (Tomohide) Utsumi and the team have trained hard and done well. The game against the Mercury was very competitive and much closer than the final score would indicate."