Utah Jazz shooting guard Jordan Clarkson arrived in Manila early Tuesday morning to join the Gilas Pilipinas in their final preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup that is set to begin later this month.
Clarkson will be the naturalized player of the Philippine men’s basketball team, which wrapped up on Monday their participation in a pocket tournament in China by winning three of their four games (two against Iran, one against Senegal).
Gilas Pilipinas will take on the Dominican Republic on opening day, August 25, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, followed by matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against Angola (August 27) and Italy (August 29).
“I think we’ve got a good chance to do some things; hopefully we’ll win some games,” the 31-year-old Clarkson told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has yet to announce the final 12-man lineup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will run from August 25 to September 10.
