Five players attended the postgame press conference after Japan's win over Iran on Saturday, and Takehiko Orimo and Takahiro Setsumasa were always the first two to speak.
That shows how well respected they are on the team.
"We've been given so much from them," Japan coach Zeljko Pavlicevic said after the 72-62 victory over Iran in the final game of the Kirin Cup 2006 series at National Yoyogi Stadium Second Gymnasium. "I wanted them to play for us by any means."