UTAH Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and beanpole Kai Sotto will be the linchpins of Gilas Pilipinas, which opens its campaign in the FIBA World Cup this Friday against the Dominican Republic at The Arena in Bulacan.
“Talent, belief and support will all be things the Gilas will draw on when the World Cup action does begin,” Chloe Merrell wrote on Olympic.com yesterday.
“One central key to the Gilas World Cup campaign this time around will be Clarkson of the Utah Jazz,” Merrell said.
“The Filipino-American, who identifies as such owing to his maternal grandmother, is a superstar within the country after his Philippines roots first became known when he entered the NBA,” the story said.
Clarkson debuted for Gilas in the 2018 Asian Games where he averaged 26 points per game to lead the team to fifth place, the country’s best showing (in the Asiad) for 16 years.
Underscoring his determination to fuel the country’s campaign, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee was quoted once he touched down in Manila last Aug. 8 as saying: “I think we’ve got the chance to do some things.”
The story also devoted a significant portion to the 7-foot-3 Sotto who, like Clarkson, has been named to the official 12-man roster.
“If the prospect of a firing Clarkson wasn’t enough to inspire the Philippines, then the small fact he will be on the same roster and competing for the same goal as young phenom Kai Sotto is sure to give onlookers an extra boost of excitement,” the report said.
“Sotto, who has had a troubled summer with a back injury sustained while playing in the NBA Summer League, has been widely regarded in recent years as the Gilas’ next big hope, standing at 7-foot-3 (2.21m) with a 2.26m wingspan,” it noted
Although he was not selected in the last NBA draft, “a strong belief persists that the young gun can still leave a great impression on his country particularly given the role bigs like Sotto can play on the international stage,” the report said.
The story noted the lofty expectations in a sport considered as the national passion.
“Well-known for being a basketball-loving nation, the Philippines is hoping to make the 19th edition of the World Cup unforgettable,” and “already they have expressed a desire to set an all-time World Cup attendance record for a single game on the opening.”
The report said the host team’s bid of advancing beyond the first round would be no cakewalk, considering the group they were bracketed in.
“Sitting in Group A, along with Italy, Angola and the Dominican Republic, securing passage to the second round will be a tall order for the Filipinos,” it said.
“The Italians, with a special blend of seasoned veterans and young talent, are widely expected to advance out of the group in first place, leaving the door ajar for another to come through in second,” the story explained.
“The remaining teams, Gilas, Angola and the Dominican Republic, all with NBA talent on their side, could feasibly take the remaining spot,” it added.
Cited was the fact that the Angolans will be led by Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks while big man Karl Anthony Towns and Lester Quinones will anchor the Dominicans.
“If the Philippines wants to make this tournament a memorable one, all games from the first whistle are must-win,” it said.
