MANILA – Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto, as expected, will banner the Gilas Pilipinas squad that will compete in the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers this week.
The composition of the national men’s basketball team was announced by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director and spokesperson Renauld Barrios during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Monday noon.
This marks as the second time the Filipino-American NBA player Clarkson is wearing the country’s colors after joining the Gilas Pilipinas team in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto, on the other hand, provided the much-needed frontline presence following the absence of PBA centers June Mar Fajardo and Ian Sangalang from the Gilas pool.
Meanwhile, making their national men’s basketball team debuts were Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome, NorthPort Batang Pier’s Jamie Malonzo and PBA free agent Roosevelt Adams.
Completing the Philippine team were Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Earl Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, NLEX Road Warriors’ Calvin Oftana, University of the Philippines’ Carl Tamayo and Japan B.League players Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Dwight Ramos and Ilonggos Kiefer Ravena and Thirdy Ravena.
The Gilas Pilipinas, which is to be handled by Vincent “Chot” Reyes along with assistant coaches Tim Cone and Joseph Uichico, will have two matches in the upcoming window against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
The national squad left for Beirut on Tuesday midnight to face 2022 FIBA Asia Cup runner-up team Lebanon at the Zouk Mikael, Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines).
The Gilas Pilipinas will quickly return to the country after the match as they are set to host Saudi Arabia at seven in the evening on August 29, Monday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The national men’s basketball team will be entering the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers with carryover standings of 2-2 win-loss slate, with two victories coming from India./PN
