INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A French basketball team is set to play exhibition games against PBA clubs in September here.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial announced the plan after a recent meeting with French Ambassador to the Philippines Miche’e Boccoz and French Embassy Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Marc Piton.
“This is definitely going to be good for the PBA and a good experience for the teams,” said Marcial in Filipino on the league website.
Boccoz was in attendance during Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco at Araneta Coliseum and was in awe by the atmosphere brought about by the capacity crowd.
The idea of having the French squad and Gilas Pilipinas play tune-up games in the first week of September was also brought up by Marcial.
The French team’s Manila visit will be around the same time Gilas competes in the Hangzhou Asian Games which will take place from September 10-25.
Marcial, though, will still have to talk with national team head coach Chot Reyes with regard to the matter.