Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — France put away European rivals Turkey, 75-63, on Saturday in the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thomas Heurtel led France with 17 points, while Nando De Colo chipped in with 13. The French team will square off with Canada tomorrow in a game that will determine who will qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Turkey started off the game as the hotter team, running out to a 13-3 lead right after the opening tip.
But the French were quick to make adjustments, and went on a scintillating 15-3 run to finish the first period with a 18-16 advantage.
France carried over their momentum to the second quarter, where they built a 37-30 lead going into the halftime break.
A 10-3 rally by the French out of the break finally saw them create some separation in the third quarter, as Turkey took a 53-43 deficit into the final frame.
Turkey had no answer for the 11-3 blitz that the French unleashed at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Turks were only able to trim the France lead down to 71-63, but were unable to mount a comeback to avoid defeat.
Omer Asik paced Turkey with 19 points.
Also read: FIBA OQT: Canada edges New Zealand for finals berth
