France, Canada seek Fiba OQT Finals berths
Tony Parker. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
TONY Parker and Boris Diaw will be trying to enjoy their last few games together when they try to lead France against Turkey today for a seat in the title game of the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
No longer teammates at San Antonio after the Spurs traded Diaw to Utah yesterday to clear cap space for the acquisition of free agent Pau Gasol, the duo will try to go out on a smashing note and keep alive France’s string of Games appearances.
The match is slated at 9 p.m. following the other half of the Final Four pitting Canada against New Zealand at 6:30 p.m.
Canada and France are the only undefeated teams in the tournament and are ranked No. 1s in their group, with the French’s 66-59 nipping of the Kiwis on Thursday night keeping the projected title clash between the top-tier teams alive.
Parker has said that he will be retiring from international play after the Olympics—if France gets there—and depending on the outcome of this tournament, could be playing his last games together with Diaw, also a long-time national team member.
“I wish we could keep them both,” Parker said of Diaw and Gasol during media availability day of the French team yesterday.
Nicolas Batum will finally come in to help the French against the Turks, a hulking side that also has a lot of athleticism.
Batum has been barred from playing until after July 7 because of contract obligations with the Charlotte Hornets, who inked him to a $120 million, five-year pact that would only be guaranteed after that day.
The 6-foot-8 forward missed the first two games of France but will be available starting with the Turks.
“He is playing,” France coach Vincent Collett said on Thursday night after that close shave against the Kiwis.
The Canadians are heavily favored over the Tall Blacks with a team built around Corey Joseph.
The winners of today’s matches advance to the title game tomorrow where a berth in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics is the prize.
