Tony Parker vs Ali Muhammed. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
NICOLAS Batum finally suited up for France last night, but the French earned one last shot at an Olympic berth riding the shoulders of players of less stature.
France broke away in the fourth quarter with Batum and Tony Parker on the bench, sealing a much-anticipated title clash with Canada in the Manila Olympic Qualifying after seeing off Turkey, 75-63, in their half of the Final Four at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Thomas Huertel shone at the point in the most crucial stretch of the game yet again, firing 12 points in the fourth period that kept the NBA superstar Parker on the bench as France followed Canada to the title match.
With Corey Joseph shooting 20 points and the Canadians imposing their will inside, Canada also got within a win of heading to the Rio Olympics after discarding New Zealand, 78-72, in the first game, to also remain undefeated like the French.
The title match is set at 9 p.m. today also at MOA Arena.
Nando de Colo was another man who shone for the French, together with Joffrey Lauvergne, the 6-foot-11 big man suffered a busted eyebrow early but had nine crucial points in the third.
But it was Huertel who owned the Turks in the fourth period, shooting seven straight points in one stretch that had France scooting to a 64-46 lead Turkey never came close to overhauling.
Batum started out and played 21 minutes. He finished with just three points, two assists and two steals but highlighted his night by taking on Ali Muhammed on the other end and limiting the explosive Turkish guard to four first half points.
It was the third straight win for the Canadians as they played to their full potential to complete half of the anticipated title game against France and its NBA talent-laden team.
New Zealand thus joined Gilas Pilipinas and Senegal in watching the rest of this tournament on the sidelines, having lost for the second consecutive game despite getting another mammoth game from Corey Webster.
“New Zealand played a tough game,” Canada coach Jay Triano told reporters later. “We didn’t shoot the way we are capable of, but we made some tough shots out there today.”
Webster finished with 21 points but was forced into committing a crucial error in the stretch that helped doom the Tall Blacks.
Ejim finished with 13 points like Tristan Thompson, who completed a double-double with 10 rebounds.
New Zealand found it difficult holding its own underneath after Isaac Fotu, its 6-foot-11 center, sprained his left ankle in the first quarter. Fotu, who was a big factor when the Kiwis ousted the Filipinos on Wednesday night, never returned after just eight minutes of action.