PARIS (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - The basketball fans in the Philippines are assured of having plenty of stars in their midst when the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) is staged in Manila.

One of them will be Tony Parker of France. The four-time NBA champion and long-time French national team star has given a thumbs-up to playing at the OQT, when it is held 5-10 July. Parker has the blessing of his wife, Axelle Francine, who is due to give birth to their second son, Liam, in July.

Parker has confirmed to L'Equipe that he will indeed be at the OQT.

"It was a decision which had to be taken together," Parker said. "She knows how important this is for me. We evaluated all the possibilities and I've made my decision. I said, 'I'm going.'"

"In making my choice, my goal is to live as best as possible these two great moments — to be there for the birth of my son, qualify France for the Olympics and end my career with France's team with a beautiful Olympic medal which I can show my sons, Josh and Liam. "- Parker

Axelle Francine gave birth to the couple's first child, Josh, in early 2014. She and Parker were married later that year.

If Parker has been outstanding in his time as an NBA player, he has also been among international basketball's best players. The veteran playmaker became the all-time leading scorer in EuroBasket history last year.

All did not go as well as France had expected, though, at last year's EuroBasket. Spain beat them after overtime in the Semi-Finals to qualify for the Olympics. Parker admitted following that setback that he had not been at his best in the tournament. But France did overcome Serbia in the third-place game to reach the podium.

Parker is eager to make amends for last year's disappointment in Lille by helping the French not only get to Rio, but to reach the podium. France are going to have hard games coming up against New Zealand and the Philippines in Group B.

If they finish in the top two, they will face Canada, Turkey or Senegal in the Semi-Finals. The winners of the two Semi-Finals will then play each other for the right to go to the Olympics.

FIBA