WITH the last-minute inclusion of Nicolas Batum in its line-up and a motivated Tony Parker in tow, France became the odds-on favorite to win the Manila leg of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
After initially stating that he will not play for the French National team for this FOQT, Batum had a change of heart and was suddenly included in France’s final 12-man roster.
There was however a conflicting report that he might not make the team after he was all set to sign a $120-million contract with the Charlotte Hornets on July 7.
But with or without Batum, France is still the team to beat for the FOQT, but host Gilas Pilipinas, Canada, Turkey, New Zealand are all determined to slay the world ‘s No. 5 and pre-tournament favorite.
“We’re going to have to work really hard and be at our best if we’re going to have a chance,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. “I believe we have a fair shot at it.”
Only one of the six competing countries, the champion of the tournament, will get one of the only three remaining tickets to the Rio Olympics in August.
Led by Parker, Batum and Boris Diaw, all of which are National Basketball Association veterans, France, which is coached by Vincent Collet, already arrived Friday morning in Manila.
The FOQT starts on July 5 and concludes on the 10th and will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Gilas Pilipinas and France immediately lock horns at 9 p.m. on opening day.
Those teams are grouped with New Zealand, while Canada, Senegal and Turkey are in the other half.
The top two teams of each group will advance to the crossover semifinals.
Indicating that this will be his final stint with the French National team, Parker vowed to go all-out as he sacrificed being with his wife and new-born baby just to be able to represent his country in hopes of making it to Rio.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is currently fighting Turkey as of this report at the MOA Arena in both teams’ final tune-up game before they plunge to the tournament next week.