BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas overcame a lethargic opening quarter before cruising to an 84-46 rout of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson spearheaded the national men’s basketball team offense with 23 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with six assists and five rebounds.
Kai Sotto chipped in double-double 16 points and 13 rebounds. Dwight Ramos contributed nine markers and six boards, while Japeth Aguilar and Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena had eight points each.
With the victory, the Vincent “Chot” Reyes-mentored national men’s basketball team wrapped up the fourth window of the qualifiers with a cumulative standing of 3-3 win-loss.
Gilas Pilipinas struggled with their offense in the opening quarter; they were down 8-14 before Clarkson beat the shot clock buzzer with a three-point conversion from near midcourt.
Clarkson continued his onslaught to start the second period with inside baskets and a three-point play to give Gilas Pilipinas a 21-18 edge. Ramos joined the fray with inside shots to widen the lead to 27-23.
With the Saudi Arabia struggling with their offense, the national men’s basketball team pulled away further with free throws by Bobby Ray Parks Jr., a triple by Clarkson and a dunk by Aguilar for a 37-28 halftime edge.
Gilas Pilipinas opened the second half with inside shots from Jamie Malonzo, Sotto and Clarkson and a trey by Ramos for a 49-31 lead. Back-to-back treys by Clarkson and Parks widened the lead further to 61-36 entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, it was the locals who waxed hot for the Gilas Pilipinas with Aguilar converting from inside and Ravena connecting with his outside hits as the lead reached 84-44 with under a minute left.
Khalid Abdel Gabar finished with nine points and nine rebounds, while Mathna Almarwani and Musab Tariq Kadi also added nine markers apiece for the visiting Saudi Arabians.
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 84 – Clarkson 23, Sotto 16, Ramos 9, Aguilar 8, K. Ravena 8, Parks 6, Oftana 6, T. Ravena 4, Thompson 2, Malonzo 2, Newsome 0, Adams 0.
SAUDI ARABIA 46 – Gabar 9, Ma. Almarwani 9, Kadi 9, Mo. Almarwani 8, Almuwallad 4, Belal 3, Jalas 2, Mohammed 2, Alsager 0, Albargawi 0.
Quarterscores: 11-14, 37-28, 61-36, 84-46./PN
