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France, Canada start Olympic qualifying event with victories

Turkey's Cedi Osman is fouled by Canada's Cory Joseph as the former drives to the basket during the Group A FIBA Olympics Qualifying basketball match Tuesday, July 5, 2016 in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. Canada won 77-66.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Turkey's Cedi Osman is fouled by Canada's Cory Joseph as the former drives to the basket during the Group A FIBA Olympics Qualifying basketball match Tuesday, July 5, 2016 in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. Canada won 77-66.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

By Associated Press July 5, 2016 1 min read

MANILA, Philippines (AP) – France rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat host the Philippines 93-84, and Canada defeated Turkey 77-69 Tuesday on the opening day of one of the final qualifying tournaments for men’s basketball at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Nando De Colo scored 11 points in the third quarter and 27 overall to help France overcome a strong start by the Philippines. New Zealand is the third team in Group B.

In Group A, NBA point guard Cory Joseph led Canada with 21 points, while Turkey’s Sinan Guler scored 14. Canada can secure a semifinal spot by beating Senegal on Wednesday.

Other six-nation qualifying tournaments started in Italy and Serbia on Monday. The winners of the three events will be added to the 12-team draw in Rio.