Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

In spite of going winless in the group stage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Jordan Clarkson and Gilas Pilipinas are still motivated as the chance to make the Paris Olympics next year remains open.

“We (are) super motivated. From the beginning we’ve been motivated. Team is strong. We fight. We ain’t giving up throughout the whole game,” Clarkson said Tuesday after the Philippines lost to Italy, 90-83 in its final Group A assignment.

“Basketball is a game of missed shots and ups and downs. What happens is we string together runs and we go out there and compete til the end of the horn.”

Gilas will now likely face South Sudan on Thursday before wrapping up the classification phase against China on Saturday.

With the lone Olympic basketball tournament slot for Asia at stake, Clarkson said the team is ready to put everything on the line.

“We haven’t really felt that we’ve been out any games. We fight. We (are) strong mentally. We’re gonna put it together and try to get these two. We know what this means, what it means for the country, we’re going to leave it all on the floor,” the Utah Jazz guard said.

Clarkson has led head coach Chot Reyes’ troops throughout the group phase, with stellar numbers of 24 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 6.7 APG.

As of Wednesday, Japan still leads the Asian race for the Olympic ticket. The Akatsuki Five stunned Finland earlier, 98-88 to book their maiden win.

In contrast, no other Asian squad has won a game in the tournament.

Jordan came close when it forced overtime against New Zealand, but faltered in extension for a 95-87 loss. Iran also let their game against Cote d’Ivoire slip away, 71-69.

Clarkson added that he is familiar with both South Sudan and China, and that the team will focus on figuring out how the two opponents play.

“South Sudan, physical and athletic team. (I) watched them play a few games. They coaches good as well. I know Luol Deng and how he’s put that program over there, they got a young player, Wenyen Gabriel is over there as well, athletic, runs the floor well,” he said.

“And China as well. Very familiar with that team. Kyle Anderson joining them as well. Their big guy… Two really good teams and we have to come out here and put it together, compete, and win. That’s what we want to do. We’re not trying to come out here trying to lose.”

Written by Levi Joshua Verora Jr.
Photos from fiba.basketball