Norwood excited to guard Batum, Fournier in France tourney

MANILA, Philippines – Gabe Norwood is excited to reprise his role as Gilas Pilipinas’ top wing defender as the national team goes into the final phase of their training camp for the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games.

After opening their overseas trip with three straight wins against American and European selections, the real test begins for the national team when they participate in the 2014 Antibes International Basketball Tournament that will tip-off Friday in France (Saturday Manila time) at the Azur Arena in Antibes, France. 

Norwood, Rain or Shine’s athletic forward, will have tougher defensive assignments ahead as Gilas Pilipinas will open the four-nation pocket tournament with a meeting against the defending Eurobasket champion France on Friday night (Saturday Manila time).

Even without 2013 Eurobasket MVP and San Antonio Spurs’ top playmaker Tony Parker, France will still be formidable with a slew of NBA players in the roster of the Bleu Blanc.

Without Parker, who opted to rest, France will rely on Portland Trail Blazer’s athletic forward Nicolas Batum, Spurs veteran big man Boris Diaw, Orlando Magic’s shooting guard Evan Fournier and Indiana Pacers’ Ian Mahinmi, former Minnesota Timberwolves’ forward Mickael Gelabale and ex-Toronto Raptors’ point guard Nando de Colo.

“(Nicolas) Batum, (Evan) Fournier and all their wings will be a great challenge. As a competitor, it’s a matchup I’m really looking forward to,” Norwood told Philstar.com on Thursday. 

Nicolas Batum (first from left) arrives with the France national team from practice at Sophia Country Club in Antibes, France. Gilas Pilipinas is also billeted in the same hotel.    

France is bracketed in Group A with host Spain, Brazil, Egypt, Serbia and Asian champion Iran in Group A in the FIBA World Cup while Gilas will have to contend against Argentina, Senegal, Puerto Rico, Croatia and Greece in Group B.

The game between Gilas Pilipinas and France will be aired on TV5 this coming Saturday at 5pm as part of the network’s “Gilas vs The World” coverage. The game will have a replay on Aksyon TV Ch 41 at 10:30 pm on Sunday.

Organized by France Basketball Federation, the four-nation tournament will also feature Australia and Ukraine.