FIBA OQT (Photo : FIBA)
Canada and France lived up to the billing as the tournament favorites as both teams cleared all the obstacles along the way to arrange an intriguing final showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines.
What's at stake:
Everybody knows what's on the line in this game, and it's the last bust to Rio Olympics, where 12 of the best basketball countries in the world will duke it out for that prestigious gold medal.
Canada, who assembled a team consists of NBA veterans and D-League players, seeks to end their 16-year Olympic appearance drought. The last time Canada played Olympic basketball was in 2000, when Steve Nash was the lone star of that Canadian squad.
Roughly two decades since the Sydney Olympics, and Canada has become a basketball superpower with deep pool of up-and-coming youngsters like Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, and many others. And while Canada did not bring their A-team, the team remains formidable throughout the tourney with Thompson and Cory Joseph leading the charge.
As for France, they want to maintain their status as a perennial Olympic contender. France brought NBA veterans Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and last minute participant Nicolas Batum to the battlefield in hope of clinching a spot in the Rio Olympics.
Parker, who wasn't expected to join France in this qualifying tournament until the last few months, stressed that he wanted his last international stint with France to be memorable by winning a medal for his country.
Prediction:
This is the battle of the superpowers, but only one team will rise to occasion and grab that ticket to the Olympics. Canada might have a more athletic team, especially that frontline. However, I can see the France securing a hard-earned win over Canada with the Big 3 of Parker, Diaw, and Batum stepping up their game.
Broadcast Details:
France vs. Canada will start at 9:00 p.m Phil Time / 9 a.m US ET live on Sports5.ph, FIBA OQT Manila Streaming, and Sports Stream. Box Scores, and Stats are available on FIBA Stats page.
