6 JUL 2016
Manila Philippines
photo courtesy of FIBA
FIBA OQT 2016 News: France Le Bleus NT bucked an early game scare and crunch time uprising by Gilas Pilipinas with a 93-84 upset victory in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016 in SM MOA Arena yesterday. Nando De Colo paced the French with 27 points and 3 steals, while Tony Parker dropped 21 markers and 6 assists.
Filipino: FIBA OQT 2016 Balita • Napigilan ng pambansang koponan ng Pransya ang maagang pamamayagpag at kalaunay paghabol ng Gilas Pilipinas upang itala ang 93-84 tagumpay sa FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016 sa SM MOA Arena kahapon. Nanguna si Nando De Colo para sa Les Belus sa kanyang 27 puntos at 3 agaw, gayundin si Tony Parker na nagbuslo ng 21 puntos at 6 na assists.
Resorting to one-on-one instead of the fluid ball rotation they are used to, Gilas Pilipinas squandered a 10-point lead as Tony Parker capped the French blitz in a 9-2 run at the half to cut the lead to one, 40-41. Les Bleus ended the half with a 45-43 lead.
France led with 66% Fieldgoal percentage compared to Gilas 42.9%, and outrebounded the Filipinos 38 to 36. The French also rotated the ball better 18 assists to the 11 of Gilas, and made 14 fastbreak points out of the 18 turnovers by the RP Five. The Pinoys for their part shot better from the arc with 39.3% clip in 11 of 28 three point shots made.
The Philippines loss however, did not diminish the great game and wizardry shown by Gilas as the Filipino dribblers stamped their class opposite the number five team in the world. “[Gilas’ guards are] pretty good. They’re very aggressive. They tried to make things happen. They did pretty work,” stated Spurs guard Tony Parker.
Andray Blatche led Pilipinas with 21 points and 8 rebounds but fell to early foul trouble in the third quarter. France took advantage of the absence of Blatche as they mounted a 77-66 lead at the end of the third. Terrence Romeo contributed 19 markers, while Jayson Castro William dropped 14 points.
Gilas Pilipinas NT will next face New Zealand Tall NT in a do-or-die game to book a semifinals slot in the Rio Olympics OQT. Incidentally, Coach Tab Baldwin will face his former national squad, the Tall Blacks.
FRANCE NT 93: De Colo 27, Parker 21, Lauvergne 10, Tillie 10, Diaw 9, Gelabale 8, Diot 4, Heurtel 2, Kahudi 2, Pietrus 0, Moerman 0.
GILAS PILIPINAS 84: Blatche 21, Romeo 19, Castro 14, Chan 9, Rosario 6, Norwood 4, De Ocampo 3, Reyes 3, Parks 3, Pingris 2, Fajardo 0.
Quarters: 1QTR: 22-30 PHI 2QTR: 45-43 FRA 3QTR: 77-66 FRA 4QTR: 93-84 FRA Wins
written by Rock Punzalan
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