Tony Parker at NAIA 1. Photo by Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Though coming in as the favorites in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament here in Manila, Tea, France is leaving no stone unturned as it shoots for the lone ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
And for Tony Parker, all he wants is to have a fitting ending to his storied international career.
READ: Tony Parker, Team France arrive in Manila for Fiba OQT
“It’s my last one and I already said it’s my last time playing with the national team,” he said on Sunday in a press conference at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
“I’m enjoying every moment and I had an unbelievable career with the French team. Hopefully, I can finish on a great note and help us qualify for Rio.”
Parker has been with the national team since 1997 when he played in the junior squad. Throughout his tenure, he has led the team to numerous accolades, none bigger than the EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia where he was also named as the MVP.
The said feat, the first ever EuroBasket title for France, allowed Parker to have that crowning jewel in the international stage as he pondered wrapping up his career soon.
“I knew at the time (my international career) is gonna come to a close pretty soon,” he said.
And that time has come now, with the remaining task advancing to the Olympics for one last time.
France is slotted at Pool B with the Philippines and New Zealand in the OQT set on July 5 to 11 and is widely seen as the pacesetter to win it all.
However, Parker knows that just like every tourney he has been in, the Manila OQT presents another set of obstacles in France’s bid to return to the Olympic Games.
“There’s always a lot of pressure since I’ve been with the national team. We respect everybody and it’s going to be a tough tournament. There’s a lot of great teams and we just want to look at it one game at a time and stay focused,” he said.
“Hopefully, I can see you all in 10 days and hopefully, we win the tournament.” RAM/rga