Canada vs. France: 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Philippines Final Score, Recap

For the ninth time in history, France will participate in the Summer Olympics in Rio after defeating Canada in the Philippines Olympic Qualifying final, 83-74.  

Tony Parker (26 points, four assists, four rebounds) and Nando de Colo (22 points, five rebounds, three assists) were superb for France, while the team's stable of NBA players—Boris Diaw (nine points, four assists), Nicolas Batum (seven points, four rebounds) and Joffrey Lauvergne (four points, three rebounds)—proved too much for Canada to handle. 

The Rio Olympics congratulated France on its win:

De Colo was named the tournament's MVP, per Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.

And while he and Parker were the stars, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report was thoroughly impressed with Diaw throughout the game:

Cory Joseph led Canada with 20 points, six assists and three steals, while Melvin Ejim chipped in 19 points. Cleveland Cavaliers star Tristan Thompson added eight points and seven rebounds. 

It was clear that France was the better, more experienced team on the day, however, as Doug Smith of the Toronto Star noted:

"We’re a young team, and hopefully we learn and grow from this," head coach Jay Triano told the Canadian Press (via Sportsnet). "I’m very proud of my team, the way that we fought, not just this game, but the whole tournament, throughout the summer."

The field for the Olympics is now set, per Nick Zaccardi of NBC Sports:

• Brazil: Host nation
• United States: 2014 world champion
• Australia: Oceania champion
• Nigeria: Africa champion
• Argentina: Americas finalist
• Venezuela: Americas finalist
• Spain: Europe finalist
• Lithuania: Europe finalist
• China: Asia champion
• Croatia: Last-chance qualifier
• Serbia: Last-chance qualifier
• France: Last chance qualifier

France bolted out to an early 30-25 lead after a thrilling first quarter. That was followed by an equally inept second quarter, as Canada outscored France 11-9 in a period marked by sloppy basketball. 

The two teams were generally even in the third frame, with France outscoring Canada 17-15 in the quarter and holding onto a five-point lead heading into the final frame. Canada couldn't mount a comeback, leaving it short of Olympic qualifying once again. 

As Smith noted, France's top players wouldn't allow Canada to steal the lead:

For Canada, it's the fourth straight Olympics the country has failed to qualify for since the 2000 Sydney Games. And it's a major disappointment given the strength of this team, led by Joseph and Thompson. 

France was simply better and will now look to improve upon its sixth-place finish in 2012. The country has medaled just twice in the Olympics, taking the silver in both 2000 and 1948. And while the French won't be a favorite for the gold medal—that's the United State's medal to lose—they have the talent to compete for a place on the podium in Rio. 

Indeed, Parker and company proved as much on Sunday. While Batum and Diaw will need to step up even more against the top competition the world has to offer—and Parker and De Colo will need to continue playing at an elite level—France has the players to make a run in Rio. 

And Parker, in his last go-around on the international level, would like nothing better than to close a long and storied career for France with a medal. 

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.