Elite point guards of Europe and Asia on collision course

MANILA (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Two of the best point guards in the international game, Tony Parker and Jayson Castro, are set to collide when the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila kicks off this Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Parker was named Tournament Most Valuable Player of Eurobasket 2013 and continued his strong play in Eurobasket 2015, while Castro was named to the FIBA Asia Championship All-Tournament Team in both 2013 and 2015.

Parker, of course, given his NBA pedigree, is the more well-known of the two, but, if Filipino hoop nuts are to be asked, the San Antonio Spur looks to be public enemy #1 in Manila.

Jayson Castro meets Tony Parker 💪

— Neizzer Keans (@nayzerkiyans_) May 25, 2016

Castro is aware of Parker’s stature as an NBA and FIBA sensation, but the former plans to bring the game straight to Parker when they meet on opening night.

“I’m very excited,” Castro confessed. “We see these guys on TV, but now we’ll play against them.”

“I’ll have to set aside my admiration, though,” he added. “I have to focus on the game.”

Castro, of course, is also a big deal in these parts. He has achieved much in the Philippine Basketball Association, and he has been a crucial piece to the resurgence of Philippine basketball in recent years. Many local fans know by best by his moniker — “The Blur” — and they are certainly salivating at the prospect of seeing him go head-to-head with France’s Parker, who is the all-time highest scorer in the history of the Eurobasket competition.

Parker, for his part, did not mince words in an endorsement event held today. When asked about about his readiness to play against Gilas Pilipinas, the 34-year-old playmaker had one clear message.

“We’ll beat you,” he said.

Calling @JasonCast17 & @gilasarmy out! --> @tonyparker to Filipino fans: ‘We’ll beat you.’ https://t.co/eXfK4HKSaF

— Enzo Flojo (@hoopnut) July 3, 2016

That kind of resolve shouldn’t come as a shock, especially since Parker has made it known that he is planning to retire after this year’s tour of duty with Les Bleus.

"Hopefully, I can finish on a great note and qualify for Rio," he said. “It's my last time, and I'm just enjoying every moment."

France and the Philippines are in Group B of the OQT along with New Zealand, while Group A has Canada, Senegal and Turkey. Only the winner of this OQT will qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Source: [FIBA]