PBA set to welcome a select French team for exhibitions in September

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) confirmed that a select French basketball team will be coming over in September for a series of exhibition games.

It was PBA commissioner Willie Marcial who announced the development but the exact date and the exhibition format are yet to be announced in the coming months.

Marcial added that the international exhibition stemmed after a meeting with French Ambassador to the Philippines Miche’le Boccoz and French Embassy Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Marc Piton.

The PH-France basketball exhibition games are also said to be a part of the 75^th year celebration of the two countries’ friendship on June 26, 2022.

It was seen that French Ambassador Boccoz was on the sidelines of the PBA Governor’s Cup grand finals Game 3 between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Meralco Bolts.

“Definitely, maganda ito para sa PBA and magandang experience din para sa teams,” said the amiable PBA commissioner.

Initially, commissioner Marcial proposed that the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team will face the French squad but is yet to be confirmed by head coach Chot Reyes.

Reyes and the rest of the Gilas coaching staff are still forming their final team roster for the upcoming 2022 Asian Games and will have to start their practice sessions as soon as possible.

Before Gilas will fly to China for the September Asian games, they will first defend their championship title in the upcoming 2022 Southeast Asian Games to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam.