MANILA, Philippines – Turkey coach Ergin Ataman had a straightforward answer on what does he think Gilas Pilipinas is capable of doing in the FIBA OQT in Manila – a good fight versus New Zealand and zero chance against France.
“Philippines beating France is impossible for me. Against France, I don’t give any chance to the Philippines,” said Ataman in an interview by News5.
“Maybe against New Zealand, they will fight for a good result,” added Ataman whose Turkish team is the first foreign side that arrived in the country for the FIBA Olympic qualifier at the MOA Arena on July 5-10.
France’s Les Bleus are actually favored versus all of their opponents in the Manila OQT, being the fifth ranked team in the world with all their NBA players and stars in the Euro league.
They’ve just announced their final roster led by NBA players Tony Parker (San Antonio), Boris Diaw (San Antonio), Nicolas Batum (Charlotte), and Joffrey Lauvergne (Denver) and EuroBasket Mythical Team awardee Nando De Colo. Completing the squad are Antoine Diot, Mickael Gelabale, Thomas Heurtel, Charles Kahudi, Adrien Moerman, Florent Pietrus and Kim Tillie.
Edwin Jackson is the last cut who will serve as reserve.
While Gilas, France and New Zealand are bunched in Group B, Turkey is with Canada and Senegal in Group A in the elimination play.
The top two from each group clash in crossover knockout semifinals on July 9. The semis winners then slug it out in a one-game final with the victor claiming a ticket to the Rio Games in August.
France is Gilas first assignment on July 5.
Ataman is well familiar with coach Vincent Collet and the Les Bleus of Team France, them being old rivals in the EuroBasket. In the last edition of the FIBA Euro meet that served as the regional qualifier for the Rio Games, France eliminated Turkey, 76-53, in the first round of the knockout play.
Gilas is now also known to Ataman as Team Phl and Turkey had met in a tune-up last June 22 in Istanbul. The Turks tore apart the Filipinos, 103-68.