Whatever was said previously about the Philippine team’s objective in the game against Lebanon, Filipino-American naturalized import Jordan Clarkson still played his heart out in a losing effort by Gilas to the hosts, 85-81, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers on Friday morning (PH time) in Beirut.
Clarkson scored a game-high 27 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds to lead Gilas Pilipinas gamely square off with the FIBA Asia Cup silver medalist, but fell short in the face of a more cohesive squad, led by star point guard Wael Arakji.
Clarkson, who came all the way from Los Angeles to wear his mother’s national flag, congratulated Lebanon and expressed how he was proud of his teammates amid a hostile, but appreciative crowd at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex.
“Great game by Lebanon !!! love yalls (you all) crowd (and the) energy!! Proud (of) the way we fought!! we came up short,” the Utah Jazz star posted on his Twitter account.
Other Gilas players who came up big were Dwight Ramos, who had 18 points, 10 rebounds, six steals, and two assists; Japeth Aguilar, who had 11 points and six rebounds off the bench and towering 7’2” center Kai Sotto, who made 10 points on top of eight rebounds and two shot blocks.
Height was no longer a problem for the Philippine side as it out-rebounded Lebanon, 48-36, but what brought Gilas down were the 21 turnovers committed compared to the Lebanese’ only nine miscues.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes blamed it on the players’ unfamiliarity with each other because of limited preparation, but he hopes to make up for the next game against Saudi Arabia.
“If we get some more time or more practice together, then we should be able to address that,” Reyes said in a post-game press conference.
By then, Clarkson would be more ready as well.
“Stay safe all love, until next time!! See yall (you all) in Manila,” said Clarkson on his Twitter post.
Gilas fell to a 2-3 card in Group E and looks forward to venting its ire on Saudi Arabia on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Saudi Arabia bowed to New Zealand, 89-65, in the other Group E match at Dammam Green in Saudi.
Khalid Abdel-Gabar will be the man to watch for the Saudi team as he led all scorers with 22 points in his team’s losing effort.
Four matches in Group will also be held in November and February next year to determine the teams that will make it to the final World Cup draw which will be hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia next August and September.