MASAM SPORTS 72: JORDAN CLARKSON LEADS GILAS PILIPINAS WIN OVER SAUDI ARABIA, WANTS TO PLAY IN THE FIBA WORLD CUP
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 30 Aug 2022
Jordan Clarkson wowed the fans at the full-house Mall of Asia Arena in his first game with Gilas Pilipinas in Philippine soil.
Clarkson displayed superb basketball as he led Gilas Pilipinas to an 84-46 victory over Saudi Arabia in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Monday, August 29.
He showed his talents that made him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee as the Utah Jazz star poured in 23 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.
The Philippine men's basketball team now owns a 3-3 win-loss slate in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The countrymen were behind 11-14 after the end of the first quarter. Then Clarkson partnered with Dwight Ramos in the second quarter to propel Gilas Pilipinas to a 37-28 lead at halftime.
About 20,000 fans jam-packed the MOA Arena and Clarkson entertained them with NBA-style of play as he led Gilas in a 38-point demolition of the visitors.
Kai Sotto added 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Ramos had 9 points and 6 rebounds as the Philippines recovered from a heart-breaking 85-81 defeat to Lebanon last week.
When asked about the possibility of returning home next year to play with Gilas Pilipinas in its hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Clarkson answered a positive "Yes" much to the delight of Filipino fans during his stint at the Tenement court in Taguig City on Sunday.
“It’s been great. It’s been something that I’ve envisioned when I first went to Jakarta and watched the team play,” said Fil-Am NBA standout as quoted by PhilStar Sports.
“It's great seeing Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos and young, talented players being surrounded and trying to put us in a position to make the Olympics and hopefully win the World cup in like 360 days. We got some time to prepare and prepare for all that. Everything that I’ve envisioned and what I’ve been trying to push for is coming to life,”.
The Philippines will act as the main host for the 32-team world men's basketball extravaganza in August next year and Clarkson is expected to reinforce Gilas after the fourth window of the Asian Qualifiers.
Clarkson traces his roots in Pampanga and expressed that playing for the Philippines has been a dream come true since his first tour-of-duty for Gilas in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
More importantly, the 6-foot-4 NBA guard is excited to serve as an inspiration to the Filipino children who aspire of achieving great in the sport.
“This is kind of where it started. We came here the first time I visited here, now I’m just continuing my visits. Every NBA player comes here. They’re not from here — I am, straight up,” expressed Clarkson.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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