THE Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament is about to take the country by storm, with Gilas Pilipinas battling basketball powerhouses France, Canada, Turkey, along with New Zealand and Senegal for the lone berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics starting Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Before the basketball fireworks begin, dig in a few trivial facts about the teams. Let's do it by the numbers.
1
The number of teams from the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament advancing to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
2
The teams break off in two groups, with the top two squads per group facing off in a crossover knockout semis before the winners battle for the Rio Olympics slot.
3 to 4
Wins needed to clinch the ticket to Rio.
5
The world ranking of the top-seeded team in the Manila leg, which is France.
6
There are six teams competing in the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and here are their corresponding world rankings. Canada, with the most number of active NBA players (5), ranks just two spots ahead of the Philippines, and five spots below New Zealand, who will have no NBA player in their roster as OKC’s Steven Adams begged off.
16
There are a total of 16 players with NBA experience seeing action in Manila. France has the most number of players who suited up in the NBA on their team with six: namely Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum, Joffrey Lauvergne, Nando de Colo (who now plays for CSKA Moscow), and Mickael Gelabale (now with Le Mans Sarthe). Team Canada has five men who suited for NBA teams just last season: Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Tyler Ennis, former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and Joel Anthony.
Turkey’s 12 Dev Adam (12 Giant Men) are led by twin towers Omer Asik and Semih Erden (now with the Turkish Basketball League’s Darussafaka), while Furkan Korkmaz was the 26th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lions of Senegal are looking to former NBA player and PBA import Hamady N’Diaye for support down low after Minnesota big man Gorgui Dieng withdrew his name from the roster pool.
Andray Blatche is the sole player for Gilas Pilipinas with NBA experience, although Bobby Ray Parks has suited up for the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League. New Zealand is the only team who has no player in their roster with NBA credentials, but it’s fair to note that guard Corey Webster played in three NBA preseason games last year for the New Orleans Pelicans.
44
Number of years since the Philippines last played in the Olympics. Leading the Philippine charge in the 1972 Munich Games were Jimmy Mariano and Danny Florencio. The team ended up with 2-6 record for a 13th place finish.
6’5”
The average height of the current Gilas Pilipinas squad that will see action in the OQT. The team’s tallest players are Andray Blatche (6’11”). June Mar Fajardo (6’10”) and Japeth Aguilar (6’9”). The smallest player is shooting guard Terrence Romeo (5’10”). In comparison, the average height of the PH men’s basketball team that saw action in the 1972 Olympics was 5’11”. On the other hand, the players of tournament favorite France have a 6’7” average.
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