Teams feel the calm before the storm as OQT week dawns

Canadian forward Anthony Bennett strolls around Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net

TWO days away from the much awaited Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, all six teams are now in the country and are making their final adjustments as they all vie for that lone ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Gilas Pilipinas is now focusing on the specifics as it prepares for the war against France and New Zealand in the group stages to be held at Mall of Asia Arena from July 5 to 11.

“The mood is serious and we’re all focused,” quipped coach Tab Baldwin on Sunday at Sofitel Philippine Plaza before leaving for the team’s afternoon training at Mall of Asia Arena.

The same could be said to world number five France.

Tony Parker spent a little less than an hour at a press conference for his shoe sponsor Peak before joining the French squad for their early afternoon practice.

Turkey, which has been in the country since Tuesday, and New Zealand, which arrived late Saturday, also calmed their nerves as they went to their respective practice sessions.

Former Kia import Hamady N’Diaye also got a chance to have a short chat with Philippines’ naturalized center Andray Blatche as the two waited for their training sessions.

N’Diaye and the rest of the Senegal team arrived late Saturday and loosened themselves up before practicing Sunday afternoon at the Meralco Gym.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson also joined Canada in their afternoon practice at the Mall of Asia Arena, willingly posing for photos but refusing to give interviews.

The Canadian crew was so relaxed that when they returned to the team hotel and had their film viewing session, the slimmed down Anthony Bennett carelessly walked around the lobby topless before a staff reprimanded him and asked him to put on his shirt.