Batum arrives in time for FIBA OQT, but expected to miss Gilas game

Nicolas Batum goes through warm up drills at Mall of Asia Arena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

French forward Nicolas Batum arrived in Manila late Monday, on the eve of the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament.

Batum, though, could still miss France’s opener against host Philippines on Wednesday night due to the NBA’s offseason moratorium on player movement which is in effect until July 8.

The 27-year-old Batum recently re-signed with the Charlotte Hornets on a reported five-year, $120 million deal.

Batum took the court at Mall of Asia this afternoon a few hours before the opener and got a few shots up to warm up.

But even with the possibility of missing Batum’s services, France remains as the heavy favorite to beat Gilas Pilipinas.

France will be led by four-time NBA champion Tony Parker, who is set to retire from national team play this year.