By Joel Orellana
FRANCE got deeper and more versatile following the last-minute inclusion of Nicolas Batum on the Les Bleus roster for the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) that starts next week.
The 6-foot-8 forward Batum was tentative at joining the French squad in the July 5 to 10 tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena because of his impending free agency in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The Charlotte Hornets mainstay complete a deadly Les Bleus trio with Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, both playing for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.
Now, France is the team to watch in the Manila OQT. Also on the roster are Joffrey Lauvregne, who is playing for the Denver Nuggets, and former NBA guard and reigning EuroLeague Most Valuable Player Nando de Colo.
France will be Gilas Pilipinas’s first opponent in the Manila OQT on July 5 at 9 p.m. Completing the French team of Head Coach Vincent Collet are Thomas Huertel, Antoine Diot, Mickael Gelabale, Florent Pietrus, Charles Kahudi, Adrien Moerman and Kim Tillie.
NBA center Alexis Ajinca missed the cut along with guard Edwin Jackson. The team left Paris for Manila on Wednesday night.
Canada and Turkey, meanwhile, have yet to announce their final rosters for the six-nation tournament.
Canada will also be a tough team, with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson confirming his participation in the tournament. The team is also bannered by NBA players Corey Joseph, Tyler Ennis and Joel Anthony.
Turkey is already in town. It will be led by Omer Asik and Semih Erden, both with NBA experience.
New Zealand and Senegal were the first to complete their rosters for the six-day tournament, where only the winner clinches a berth to the Rio Olympics.