SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas Championship) - Brazil provided more evidence that they could be the team to beat at the FIBA Americas Championship by pulling away from Puerto Rico on Wednesday and winning for the second straight day at the II Marchand Continental Championship Cup.

After thrashing Argentina on Tuesday, Moncho Monsalve's men broke open a close game at half-time against the Puerto Ricans and won 80-70.

This time their imposing frontcourt of Anderson Varejão and Tiago Splitter caused a lot of damage while Leandro Barbosa also wreaked havoc again from the guard spot.

Anderson had game highs in points (27) and rebounds (12) with Splitter scoring 15 and grabbing five boards.

Barbosa, who had 18 in the triumph over Argentina, contributed 17 against the Puerto Ricans.

Anderson said Puerto Rico, who won their opener 60-55 against Canada, were pesky but Brazil's concentration won them the game.

"The important thing is that our head was in place to achieve positive results in the fourth quarter," Anderson said.

Brazil face Canada on Thursday - their last warm-up game for the FIBA Americas Championship which tips off on August 26.

The Brazilians are looking to achieve at bare minimum a fourth-place finish in order to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

They will be in Group B with Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Venezuela.

Hosts Puerto Rico, who face Argentina on Wednesday, will be in Group A at the FIBA Americas Championship with Canada, the US Virgin Islands, Mexico and Uruguay.

FIBA