Jordan Clarkson arrives in Manila to lead Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized ace Jordan Clarkson arrived in Manila on Tuesday morning, feeling optimistic about what lies ahead with the Fiba World Cup just around the corner.
“I think we got a good chance to do some things—hopefully, we’d win some games,” Clarkson told reporters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City following a 15-hour trip from Los Angeles aboard Philippine Airlines PR 103.
Clarkson, who is returning for a third tour of duty for the Philippines, is set to be on the cutting edge of Gilas once the global meet unfurls on August 25.
WATCH: NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who is set to lead Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup, arrives in Manila at NAIA Terminal 1. | via Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net pic.twitter.com/hgTZAjwXjr
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 7, 2023
Gilas coach Chot Reyes said in an earlier interview that the Gilas brain trust is hoping to reintegrate the Utah Jazz star into the national program on Wednesday.
The Gilas training squad is scheduled to arrive from China on Tuesday afternoon, winning three of its four games in a pocket tournament against Senegal and Iran in Heyuan City in Guangdong province.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Jordan Clarkson at NAIA Terminal 1. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Clarkson’s first stint with Gilas was during the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, back in 2018. His most recent stint was at the World Cup Asian Qualifiers around this time last year.
The Philippines is scheduled to host Montenegro and Mexico in a pair of friendlies a few days before the quadrennial event.
WATCH: Crowd flocks to get a glimpse of Clarkson. #FIBAWC #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/NfNvh8fGur
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 7, 2023
Clarkson, barring any complications, is expected to suit up in those games which should very well provide a glimpse of the final roster.
Gilas Pilipinas is bunched with the Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy in Group A of the showcase that will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympics next year.