Tony Parker says he’ll play for France in Manila Olympic qualifier

MANILA, Philippines – The road to the Olympics by Gilas Pilipinas gets a little bumpier after news came out recently that the San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker has announced he'll play for France in the qualifier the Philippines will host from July 4 to 10 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

"I will be at the Olympics if we qualify," Parker told L'Equipe, a French newspaper, Sunday night.

Parker came up with a decision after he reached an understanding with his pregnant wife that will allow him to suit up for the French team in the qualifying tournament that stakes only one slot to the quadrennial event scheduled August 6-21 in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

It was a big turnaround from Parker's earlier pronouncement that he may miss the tournament because of the birth of his second son in July.

Parker's presence should make it more difficult for the Filipinos, who are seeking to clinch the lone berth to the Olympics.

Interestingly, Parker also said he was told by his wife that he "should better bring a medal back home" because she was making a "big sacrifice" by letting the multi-titled NBA veteran play.

Parker will be a big boost the French squad, a team already loaded with NBA talent like the Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert, the Spurs' Boris Diaw, the Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah, the Charlotte Hornets' Nicolas Batum, the Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier and the Indiana Pacers' Ian Mahinmi among others.

Other NBA players suiting for France are the Nuggets' Joffrey Lauvergne, the New Orleans Pelicans' Alexis Ajinca and the New York Knicks' Kevin Seraphin.

As an NBA player, Parker is now on his 15th season and was an instrumental part in four of the Spurs' many championships while making the All-Stars six times and being adjudged the 2007 Finals MVP.

The two-time FIBA Europe Player of the Year also helped France win the EuroBasket gold three years ago.