#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

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*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

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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: CANADA vs NEW ZEALAND

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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 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.