MANILA, Philippines - France is easily the most celebrated squad in the Manila OQT and looms as one of the chief title contenders and probably the biggest fan favorite next to Gilas Pilipinas.
“Les Bleus” had a feel of the passion and love for the game by Filipinos when they were mobbed and given a rousing welcome upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 early yesterday morning.
Superstar Tony Parker, the biggest star playing in the five-day blue-ribbon event, sparked a surge of fans seeking his autograph and posing for selfies.
“I can’t wait to meet them (Filipino basketball fans at the MOA Arena) and enjoy my time here. I’m very happy to be here,” said Parker, a four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs.
Needless to say, the Les Bleus’ main concern is to top the Manila OQT for a spot in the Rio Olympic Games next month.
“We have great hopes. We want to go to Rio,” said France coach Vincent Collet whose team boasts of four other NBA players in Boris Diaw (San Antonio), Nicolas Batum (Charlotte) and Joffrey Lauvergne (Denver).
The team that also includes Euro Basket star Nando De Colo and veteran international campaigners Antoine Diot, Mickael Gelabale, Thomas Heurtel, Charles Kahudi, Adrien Moerman, Florent Pietrus and Kim Tillie is the top favorite to rule the event, which features Turkey, New Zealand, Canada, Senegal and the home team.
They barely missed an outright berth in the Olympics after bowing to Spain, 80-75, in overtime in the semifinals in the 2015 EuroBasket Championship.
They topped the 2013 edition of the FIBA Euro Championship and finished third in the 2014 World Cup.