Manila OQT Group B Day 1: France - Philippines

[judasmartel]

Les Bleus of France will face the Philippines and its raucous crowd.

Nicholas Batum is confirmed to join the French team, but won't play in this game against the Philippines as he won't be able to arrive until after July 5th.

Usual suspects for the Philippines are Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro William, though the young guns Terrence Romeo, Bobby Ray Parks Jr, and Jeth Troy Rosario have been stepping up big for Gilas Pilipinas so far. Junemar "The Kraken" Fajardo is capable of holding his ground against world-class bigs; he just needs to improve his speed and mid-range shooting.

Reports indicate newly elected Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, known for his iron-fisted approach to criminality, will grace himself with his presence during this match.

[ctongco]

France is heavily favored to win this game. With whatever chance we have, I'm rooting for us to win this. To increase our chances, Gilas must play at their own pace and disrupt France's offensive flow.

[judasmartel]

France is heavily favored to win this game. With whatever chance we have, I'm rooting for us to win this. To increase our chances, Gilas must play at their own pace and disrupt France's offensive flow.

We were able to compete against them the last time, though they didn't have Parker and we didn't have Castro.

This time, Parker vs Castro is on. One of the best PG's in Europe vs THE Best PG in Asia.

[mojo13]

We were able to compete against them the last time, though they didn't have Parker and we didn't have Castro.

This time, Parker vs Castro is on. One of the best PG's in Europe vs THE Best PG in Asia.

I guess you haven't noticed that Parker is a mere shell of his former self.

[judasmartel]

I guess you haven't noticed that Parker is a mere shell of his former self.

Sure, but this is Tony Parker we're talking about.

[mojo13]

Sure, but this is Tony Parker we're talking about.

What's your point? This is not 2010. He is not even the best PG on this team. And has already been a hindrance to the French team in past tournaments.
Are the Gilas point guards just going to give him a free path to the basket just because he is Tony Parker?
He has already hurt France big time if he had anything to do with the dismissal of Ajinca as rumored.

[usagre]

What's your point? This is not 2010. He is not even the best PG on this team. And has already been a hindrance to the French team in past tournaments.
Are the Gilas point guards just going to give him a free path to the basket just because he is Tony Parker?
He has already hurt France big time if he had anything to do with the dismissal of Ajinca as rumored.

So Tony Parker is a scrub now ? He only had a poor performance for France last summer other than that when has he hurt them ?

[mojo13]

So Tony Parker is a scrub now ? He only had a poor performance for France last summer other than that when has he hurt them ?

Relative to what the name Tony Parker was, yes he is now a scrub in comparison. He is not near the same player of many years ago. He is pretty much a scrub in the NBA now. But I guess this is such a step down in competition he may still be useful.

As I said, if he is the drama that kept Ajinca off the team, he has hurt France dearly.

[judasmartel]

17-10 for the Philippines halfway through 1. Blatche carrying Gilas on his shoulders with 12 points.

Castro's ankles got rekt by Parker.

[Picek]

world cup on the Philippines would be awesome.
too bad they lost the bid to China.

[judasmartel]

world cup on the Philippines would have been awesome.
too bad they lost the bid to China.

Especially if you hold it on a 50k capacity arena.

30-22 Philippines after 1. I am not kidding.

[magic_chiongson]

halftime france 45 - philippines - 43

[JGX]

France only has one player under 27 years old and they play like it. We'll see what happens if/when Batum joins, but they're not as good as they were four years ago.

I take back any negative thing I ever said about Blatche, watching him play for the Philippines is infinitely entertaining.

[Mindozas]

Missed 1st qtr, watched just last 6-7mins of 2nd and can't get how on earth France managed to concede 30pts in 1st one? Another Philippines underestimation? As for now it's great to see Pinoys hanging in game, but if France will keep playin' like in 2nd, they'll get it

[judasmartel]

Missed 1st qtr, watched just last 6-7mins of 2nd and can't get how on earth France managed to concede 30pts in 1st one? Another Philippines underestimation? As for now it's great to see Pinoys hanging in game, but if France will keep playin' like in 2nd, they'll get it

Typical Pinoy style basketball. Fast-paced unorthodox basketball preventing opponents from reading our plays, forcing them to play their A-game on offense and hold their ground on defense. And play their A-game on offense and hold their ground on defense the French did. Thus the 2-point lead at HT after being down 10 in the 1st qtr.

Blatche was on BEAST MODE early with 14 points, the French got lost on D. It was the opposite in the 2nd, Nando de Colo leading the way.