The Philippine national basketball team more popularly known as Gilas Pilipinas will make an uphill climb to secure the lone spot in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in the Philippines as the country bracketed with three powerhouse teams namely France, Canada and Turkey.
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The Filipino basketball fans worst fear has indeed come true after the announcement of the drawing of lots for the 2016 Olympic Qualifier. The Philippines need to hurdle the three powerhouse sides to earn a ticket to Rio Olympics.
Aside from France, Canad and Turkey the Philippines will also bracketed with Senegal and New Zealand in Manila Qualifier, which is considered as the toughest group in the three qualifiers, the other tournaments will be hosted by the Italian city of Turin and Belgrade in Serbia.
In the Olympic Qualifier, Frances is the highest ranked team in the 18-team field ranked at No. 5 worldwide. The team is expected to showcase NBA stars like Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum. Turkey is also ranked No. 8 worldwide, the team is bannered by Ersan Ilyasova and omer Asik.
The other qualifier who is one of the toughest in the tournament, Team Canada although ranked No. 26, is set to parade NBA stars led by Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson and Kelly Olynk.
Serbia is joined by the Czech Republic, Japan, Angola, Latvia and Puerto Rico in the Belgrade qualifier set from July 5-10 while drawn with Italy in the similarly tough Turin tournament are Greece, Tunisia, Iran, Croatia and Mexico.
