Tony Parker: ‘I feel like I’m a rock star’

French national team star Tony Parker lauded Filipinos for giving him a warm welcome during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament which his Les Bleus won to punch a ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The San Antonio Spurs guard, arguably the most popular player who came to Manila for the tournament, said he was amazed by the hospitality of the Filipinos who witnessed one of his last games wearing a France jersey.

“Unbelievable, Philippines, the way they welcomed us,” Parker told reporters on Sunday night after France won over Canada, 83-74, in the final.

“People are very friendly. As (basketball) is the no.1 sport here, they showed me a lot of love. I feel like I’m a rock star.”

Parker added that he will “of course come back” to the Philippines in the future, perhaps in a tour with shoe brand Peak which he endorses.

“My sponsor is Peak so we’re gonna do a tour next summer here and I will definitely be back,” he said.

Parker was among the players in contention to win the tournament MVP award after averaging 13.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in France’s four-game sweep of the competition.

The accolade went to his teammate Nando De Colo, the reigning EuroLeague MVP, but Parker, much to the delight of Filipino fans, put on a show one last time in the finals.

The 34-year-old finished with 26 points, four rebounds and four assists to produce his best game of the tournament. -interaksyon.com

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