As I settled into my seat at the Abu Dhabi arena, the electric atmosphere reminded me why international basketball exhibitions have become such compelling spectacles. The USA vs France matchup wasn't just another friendly game—it was a collision of basketball philosophies that had Filipino fans, the world's most passionate basketball enthusiasts, flying across continents to witness this Middle Eastern showdown. Having followed both teams' preparations, I noticed something fascinating about how this neutral venue transformed into a battleground where national pride intersected with club loyalties, particularly for the Filipino contingent who'd undoubtedly be comparing everything to their beloved PBA teams.
The first quarter unfolded with Team USA establishing their trademark transition game, racing to a 28-19 lead behind what I counted as six forced turnovers. What struck me was how France's defense initially seemed unprepared for the Americans' sheer athleticism—something I've observed often separates NBA-caliber players from international squads. Anthony Edwards particularly stood out with 11 first-quarter points, displaying that explosive first step that makes him nearly impossible to guard in open space. Meanwhile, France's Rudy Gobert demonstrated why he remains one of basketball's most impactful defenders, altering at least four shots in the paint despite the scoring disparity.
Watching the second quarter, France made the adjustment I'd been anticipating—they started running their offense through Evan Fournier in pick-and-roll situations, exploiting his crafty mid-range game. The momentum shifted dramatically as France went on a 14-2 run over nearly four minutes of game time, with Fournier personally contributing 9 points during that stretch. From my perspective, this exposed Team USA's occasional defensive lapses when facing systematic half-court execution. The French lead grew to as many as 7 points before the Americans closed the half trailing 52-48. What fascinated me was how this back-and-forth battle mirrored the dynamics we often see in the Philippine Basketball Association, where games between powerhouses like Ginebra and San Miguel frequently feature these dramatic momentum swings.
The third quarter became what I'd describe as the Jalen Brunson show. The Knicks guard took complete control, scoring 13 points in the period while dishing out 4 assists. His ability to navigate screens and finish through contact reminded me of why he's become one of the league's most underrated closers. Team USA outscored France 30-19 in the quarter, largely because they finally started generating quality three-point looks—they shot 5-of-8 from beyond the arc after connecting on just 3-of-12 in the first half. Defensively, they made the crucial adjustment of sending early doubles at Fournier, forcing other French players to make plays.
Entering the final period with a 78-71 advantage, Team USA faced France's last desperate push. With about six minutes remaining, France cut the lead to just 3 points after consecutive three-pointers from Nando De Colo and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot. The arena reached fever pitch during this stretch—I could hear distinct sections of Filipino fans alternating between chants for both teams, their passion transcending national allegiances. This is where the game reminded me of San Miguel's championship resilience in the PBA; just when opponents think they have them cornered, they find another gear.
The closing minutes featured what I believe was the game's defining sequence: with USA leading 92-88 and under two minutes remaining, Mikal Bridges deflected a pass that led to a fast break where Brunson found Edwards for a thunderous dunk that essentially sealed the victory. Final score: USA 98, France 91. Statistically, Brunson finished with 24 points and 7 assists, while Edwards added 22 points. For France, Fournier's 26 points led all scorers, though his 8 turnovers proved costly in crucial moments.
Reflecting on the game, I'm convinced this exhibition provided more insight than typical preseason contests. Team USA demonstrated their explosive scoring capability but also revealed defensive vulnerabilities that more disciplined teams might exploit. France showed they can compete with anyone when their half-court execution is sharp, though their reliance on Fournier creates obvious single points of failure. For the Filipino fans who traveled to witness this spectacle, they got exactly what they came for—high-level basketball featuring global stars, with the added bonus of seeing playing styles that undoubtedly made them draw comparisons to their beloved Ginebra and defending champion San Miguel. These international exhibitions matter precisely because they bring together different basketball cultures in ways that enrich everyone's understanding of the game.
