Parker plays for France in Manila leg

MANILA, Philippines – Tony Parker confirmed his stint in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, firming up France’s bid while adding to Gilas Pilipinas’ woes in the host’s attempt to snare a spot in the Rio Games in August.

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

The San Antonio Spurs’ ace guard came up with a decision after reaching an understanding with his pregnant wife that will allow him to suit up for the French squad in one of the three qualifying tournaments set July 4-10 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

The Philippines is set to play France in the opener of the two-group elims, which also features New Zealand. The other group includes Turkey, Canada and Senegal.

The top two teams from each side after the single round elims will clash in the crossover semis with the winners disputing the lone Olympic berth.

Two other Olympic slots are up for grabs in the other OQTs in Italy and Serbia.

It was a big turnaround to Parker’s earlier pronouncement that he may miss the Manila elims to attend to his wife, who is expected to give birth in July.

But with Parker suiting up, Gilas will have a lot of work to do to at least slow down the French offensive playpatterns.

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.

Aside from Parker, France also boasts of other NBA talents, including Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, the Spurs’ Boris Diaw, the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah, the Charlotte Hornets’ Nicolas Batum, the Denver Nuggets’ Evan Fournier and the Indiana Pacers’ Ian Mahinmi.

Other NBA players suiting up 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 while helping anchor four of the Spurs’ many championships. He is also a six-time All-Star veteran and won the Finals MVP in 2007.

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