Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto during Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Saudi Arabia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Fiba
MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto’s much-awaited debut in the NBA Summer League earned the attention of Utah Jazz guard and fellow Gilas Pilipinas’ member Jordan Clarkson.
After Sotto’s commendable outing in the Orlando Magic’s loss at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers, 88-71, on Friday, Clarkson retweeted the 7-footer’s highlight reel on Twitter.
“Solid performance, keep grinding away!” wrote the Filipino-America NBA veteran.
Sotto finished with six points, four rebounds and an assist in only 13 minutes of play. He also tallied three out of the squad’s ten team blocks.
solid performance keep grinding away! 💯 https://t.co/5WTo3UFcqC
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) July 14, 2023
“I think we were pretty good defensively. We just got to work on getting better looks. We just have to bounce back,” said Sotto.
The duo of Sotto and Clarkson has already been big for Gilas Pilipinas back in August, last year.
In the Filipinos’ 84-46 victory over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the NBA guard balled out with 23 points.
Clarkson’s stellar shooting night was backed by Sotto’s monster double-double in the victory with 16 markers and 13 boards.
Gilas Pilipinas looks to replicate the duo’s stellar performance in the Fiba World Cup with both Sotto and Clarkson being included in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ 21-man pool.
There are still no assurances, however, that Clarkson or Sotto would don the Gilas jersey come August.
