Why Asian teams have struggled at the OQTs

(Image from FIBA)

*This first appeared on my weekly column on FIBA.com.

Three great Asian teams started their #RoadToRio campaigns this week at the different 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT). As of this writing, none of those three Asian squads have been able to notch a single win.

Iran got blown out by Greece before falling short against Mexico in Turin, Italy. Japan dropped their opener to Latvia and will take on Czech Republic tomorrow in Belgrade, Serbia. The Philippines, meanwhile, gave France a good fight before succumbing on Day 1 in Manila. Gilas Pilipinas will take on New Zealand later, and the former are hoping they can break through with a W.

Pingris and Fajardo bare their hearts after loss to New Zealand

(Image from FIBA)

*This first appeared on FIBA.com.

The Philippines absorbed their second and final loss in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament last night at the hands of New Zealand. The result eliminated Gilas Pilipinas from Olympic contention and pretty much broke the hearts of Filipino hoop nuts everywhere.

Two of the most important and iconic players for the Philippines are veteran power forward Marc Pingris and two-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo. Pingris was not able to make much of an impact in Gilas’s two losses, but he is one player who truly embodies “puso.” Fajardo, for his part, had some brilliant moments in their loss to the Tall Blacks.

#FIBAOQT Manila Roundup Final Day

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*These first appeared on FIBA.com.

France complete OQT sweep, advance to Rio

France completed the cast for the 2016 Olympics after they defeated Canada, 83-74, in the Final of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila. The result meant Les Bleus swept all their four games and earned the last ticket to Rio 2016.

Turning Point: Canada were able to threaten early on, trailing by just 3 points at half-time, 39-36, but France turned up the heat in the third period. Coach Vincent Collet’s crew led by as many as ten points in that quarter, 48-38, and though Canada would try to rally till the final moments, it was clear which team had more quality.

#FIBAOQT Manila Roundup Day 4

(Image from FIBA)

*These first appeared on FIBA.com.

Canada outlast New Zealand to make OQT Final

Canada became the first team to enter the Final of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila after they outlasted a gritty New Zealand, 78-72.

Turning Point: With Canada up, 73-71, Corey Webster had two straight misses that led to a big buckets by Khem Birch and Melvin Ejim. Those baskets put the outcome beyond doubt and enabled the Road Warriors of Canada to advance. It was a sorry stretch for the Kiwis, who had their chances, but just couldn’t capitalize.

Stats Don't Lie: Rebounding was New Zealand’s strong suit entering this game, but it was Canada who imposed their will on the glass. Coach Jay Triano’s wards outworked their foes in the rebounding department, 47-42. Tristan Thompson, as can be expected, led them with 10 boards, while five other Canucks grabbed at least 5 rebounds.

(Image by Roy Afable/Hoop Nut)

Game Hero: This was Tristan Thompson’s best game by far this tournament. He recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds while also shooting 4-of-5 from the field and, uncharacteristically, doing well from the free throw line. He made 5-of-7 of his charity attempts. With New Zealand’s Isaac Fotu playing under 9 minutes after sustaining an early injury, Thompson practically had gone unchecked for majority of the match.

The Bottom Line: Canada move on to the Final and face either France or Turkey. The NBA duo of Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson carried them here, but even their supporting cast put in the work. If they can duplicate that in the Final while also minimizing their turnovers, they have a good chance. New Zealand, meanwhile, gave a very good account of themselves, and they should head back home proud of how they put up a gallant stand.

(Image by Roy Afable/Hoop Nut)

HIGHLIGHTS



OQT Final cast complete after France drub Turkey

France joined Canada in the Final of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila after they drubbed a lackluster Turkey, 75-63.

Turning Point: Turkey were still in this game at the half and early in the third period when they cut the deficit, 37-33. France, however, went on a 10-0 tear that all but broke the game open. Anchored on the exploits of Boris Diaw and Joffrey Lauvergne, Les Bleu stretched the lead to fourteen points at 47-33, and they never looked back.

(Image by Roy Afable/Hoop Nut)

Stats Don't Lie: France may have been outrebounded in this match, but they more than compensated for that with their efficient shooting. As a team, the French made 52% of their field goals, including netting 7 triples. France’s supporting cast also gave them a huge lift as coach Vincent Collet’s bench outscored their Turkish counterparts, 42-18.

Game Hero: Much has been said about the talent of Tony Parker and Nando De Colo, but it was Thomas Heurtel who basked in the spotlight of this affair. The playmaker who plies his trade for, ironically, Turkish club Anadolu Efes Istanbul, tallied his best stat-line so far with 17 points, 4 assists and 2 triples. His great performance is an outstanding testament to this team’s backcourt depth.

The Bottom Line: France set up what promises to be a titanic clash in the Final opposite Canada, which, like the French, have so far been unscathed. For sure, Diaw, Lauvergne, De Colo, Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker will all figure prominently in tomorrow’s Final, where only the winner will earn the last Olympic ticket. For their part, Turkey have to re-evaluate their performance and perhaps focus on the future with young guns Cedi Osman and Furkan Korkmaz at the spearhead.

(Image by Roy Afable/Hoop Nut)

HIGHLIGHTS



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#FIBAOQT Final Preview: CANADA vs FRANCE

(Image from FIBA)

This match-up will determine the last team that will enter the 2016 Rio Olympics. Serbia and Croatia have already qualified and now only the Manila OQT winner is left up in the air. 

The last time these two teams met was in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. In that game, Canada gave up a fourth quarter lead and suffered a defeat, 68-63. Free throws proved the difference in the final period with the North Americans hitting just 3/6 in the final five minutes. For France, Nicolas Batum (24 points, 7 rebounds) was superb, making big shots throughout the game, including 17 points in the second half. 

CAN is coming off a big win over a gritty NZL side. Tristan Thompson recorded a double-double and Cory Joseph shot well again, but it was the heroics of unheralded Melvin Ejim that proved to be the difference in that game. 

#FIBAOQT Semis Preview: FRANCE vs TURKEY

Image from FIBA.

This match-up will determine the second team that will enter the Final of the Manila OQT. FRA swept its Group B games after rallying past NZL last night, while TUR had to scramble to advance at the expense of a gritty SEN squad. The last times these teams met was in Eurobasket 2015, where FRA absolutely dominated TUR, 76-53. 

France assumed complete control of the contest after an Evan Fournier steal and subsequent breakaway dunk to tie the scores at 25 midway through the second period. This kick-started a 14-1 run into the third quarter, which sapped the spirit from their opponents. The hosts' dominance only increased in the second half.

#FIBAOQT Semis Preview: CANADA vs NEW ZEALAND

(Image from FIBA)

This match-up will determine the first team that will enter the Final of the Manila OQT. Canada swept its Group A assignments by getting past TUR and surviving SEN, and now it will have to beat a gritty NZL quintet. The Tall Blacks were impressive against hosts PHL and seemed to have their game against FRA under control till the French caught fire in the fourth quarter. There is no room for error against Canada, though, so the Kiwis will need to be nothing short of their best.

#FIBAOQT Manila Roundup Day 3

(Image from FIBA)

*These first appeared on FIBA.com.

France turn the tables on New Zealand

For three whole periods, France seemed but shells of their true selves, but they finally righted the ship in the fourth quarter to defeat New Zealand, 66-59, on the third day of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila.

Turning Point: New Zealand seemed to gain full control after a Corey Webster basket gave them a 50-38 lead early in the fourth quarter, but France had other plans. Les Bleus uncorked a searing 22-2 blast that obliterated the Tall Blacks’ lead and permanently swung the momentum in the French’s favor. By the time New Zealand scored again, France was in control, 60-54.

#FIBAOQT Manila Roundup Day 2

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*These first appeared on FIBA.com.


New Zealand break Philippine hearts

New Zealand withstood every rally that Philippines mounted and came out victorious, 89-80, on the second day of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila. The Tall Blacks led nearly wire to wire and eliminated Gilas Pilipinas from Olympic contention.

Turning Point: The hosts managed to trim what once was a 13-point deficit to just a solitary point, 60-59, early in the fourth quarter, but that’s when New Zealand, behind the efforts of Tom Abercrombie, Isaac Fotu and the Webster brothers conspired to deliver a big finishing kick. The Kiwis outscored the Filipinos, 29-21 the rest of the way to notch their first win of the OQT.

#FIBAOQT Manila Roundup Day 1

(Images are from FIBA)

*These first appeared on FIBA.com.

France dispose of spirited Philippines

Tony Parker’s France had to withstand a fiery start from Jayson Castro’s Philippines before notching their first win, 93-84, in the opening Group B game at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila.

Turning Point: San Antonio Spur Tony Parker bookended a 9-2 French run with a three-pointer that cut what was once a 10-point deficit to just one, 41-40, with 2:11 to go in the second quarter. That basket seemed to light a fire in the French, who went on to end the first half strong, gaining a 45-43 edge that they would never relinquish. Philippines continued to stick close, but France just wouldn’t be denied.

#FIBAOQT Preview: PHILIPPINES vs NEW ZEALAND

This is the first meeting ever at this level for both Gilas and New Zealand, and the stakes cannot be any higher.  Fatigue will be a concern for the hosts, who left everything on the floor against FRA last night. The question is do they have enough gas in the tank to play at a high level again against the higher ranked Kiwis. The Tall Blacks, meanwhile, are going to revel in the explosive atmosphere in the MOA Arena, but can they thrive in it or will they succumb under the pressure? Without key players like Linday Tait, Kirk Penney, Jarrod Kenny, Reuben Te Rangi and Tai Wynyard, NZL isn’t at full strength, but they are still a very formidable team. The time seems to be right for Gilas to notch a big win over a higher ranked squad and make the semis.

#FIBAOQT Preview: CANADA vs SENEGAL

This is their first meeting at the world level since 1998 World Championship (CAN won, 70-57). Canada has a lot of momentum after beating higher ranked Turkey, and they have their sights set on one clear target - sweeping Group A and going to the semifinals as the top seed. Senegal, on the other hand, is hoping to open their account on a good note, but the absence of some key players (Gorgui Dieng and Xane D’Almeida) may prove to be the difference-maker in this match.

#FIBAOQT Preview: TURKEY vs CANADA

FIBA Rankings: TUR - 8, CAN - 26

This is their very first meeting ever at the world level. These are the top two ranked teams in Group A, and this game may well determine who ends up as the top seed from this group entering the next round. CAN may have a lot of NBA talent in its roster, but TUR has a lot of size and experience in its fold. TUR is fighting for respectability after not performing so well in Eurobasket 2015 (14th place), while CAN is hoping to return to form after they were upset by Venezuela in the semis of the 2015 FIBA Americas tournament. 

#FIBAOQT Preview: GILAS PILIPINAS vs FRANCE

FIBA Rankings: PHL - 28, FRA - 5

This is the first meeting of both teams since 2014, when they met in a pocket tournament in Antibes, France. Gilas lost in that game, 75-68, but they won a lot of respect as they hung tough and even led in the fourth quarter. Gilas hit 12 threes in that game, and they will have to shoot well again from long distance if they are to put up a stiff challenge against the French. Andray Blatche and Paul Lee led Gilas with 12 points each, while Nicolas Batum netted 16 markers and 11 boards for France, which did not have Tony Parker.

#FIBAOQT: France's Beaubois bows out of OQT

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*This first appeared on FIBA.com.

France guard Rodrigue Beaubois is no longer in the running to represent Les Bleus at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Manila.

Once a guard in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, Beaubois only recently played in the LNB Finals with Strasbourg. He is in the United States tending to personal matters and will not be available.

His exit has left France with 14 players, led by NBA stalwarts Tony Parker and Boris Diaw and EuroBasket 2015 All-Star Five member Nando De Colo.

#FIBAOQT: Senegal finalize roster for Manila OQT

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*This first appeared on FIBA.com.

Senegal on Tuesday finalised the 12-player roster for next week's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Manila. 

With Youssou Ndoye and Moussa Camara both cut, the pair of Thierno Ibrahima Niang and Louis Adams - the only two home-based players - have joined a line-up that includes Senegalese players coming from as far and wide as Poland and Israel. 

Senegal 12-player final roster for 2016 FIBA OQT in Manilla
Louis Adams	Serigne Bamba Gueye	Clevin Hannah	Cheikh Tidiane Mbodj
Antoine Mendy	El Hadji Malick Ndiaye	Hamady Ndiaye	Maurice Ndour
Abdoulaye Ndoye	Maleye Ndoye	Thierno Ibrahima Niang	Ibrahima Thomas

While Gorgui Dieng elected to withdraw from the team, Maleye Ndoye is set to extend his long national team career which began over a decade ago at the 2003 FIBA African Championship.

#FIBAOQT: Has the cutting of Abueva and Tenorio divided Philippine fans?

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*This first appeared on my weekly column on FIBA.com.

The energetic Calvin Abueva and veteran LA Tenorio were cut from the final 12-man roster of the Philippines, and it has been met with strong reactions. I mean, few countries, if any, around the world can match the fervor and passion of Philippine basketball fans. Even fewer can count so many individuals who are as opinionated as Filipino hoop nuts.

This is not the first time, of course, that Philippine fans have reacted so strongly to the final composition of their national team. People bemoaned the 2011 Gilas Pilipinas team — coached by iconic Serbian tactician Rajko Toroman — that was mostly made up of amateurs. They let their discontent be heard when some Philippine Basketball Association teams actively limited their contributions to Gilas Pilipinas to just one player each. Recently, in 2015, they relentlessly criticized the non-inclusion of stalwarts like June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter and Greg Slaughter from the team that was sent to the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

2016 Manila #FIBAOQT Scouting Report: The Lions of Senegal

(Image from FIBA)

The 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) that will be held here in Manila is just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to get a better of feel of each of the teams taking part and playing for one of three remaining wild card tickets to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In this part, let’s focus on the Lions of Senegal.

2016 Manila #FIBAOQT Scouting Report: The Road Warriors of Canada

Canada loses to Venezeula in the 2015 FIBA Americas semis.
(image from Eduardo Verdugo/AP)

The 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) that will be held here in Manila is just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to get a better of feel of each of the teams taking part and playing for one of three remaining wild card tickets to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In this part, let’s focus on the Road Warriors of Canada.

2016 Manila #FIBAOQT Scouting Report: The 12 Giant Men of Turkey

(Image from the TBF)

The 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) that will be held here in Manila is just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to get a better of feel of each of the teams taking part and playing for one of three remaining wild card tickets to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In this part, let’s focus on the 12 Giant Men of Turkey.