Jordan Clarkson—FIBA.BASKETBALL
The Philippines turned in two of its finest performances on the Fiba stage when it had Jordan Clarkson, but Gilas Pilipinas can put together an even better showing once the World Cup rolls around later this month.
Dwight Ramos, the program cornerstone who had been solid throughout that continental showcase and consistently present in the ramp-up to the Aug. 25 global showcase, is sure of this.
“I played with him in [a previous] window and [it] was just like an adjustment period,” he recently said of Clarkson, the naturalized standout who finally returned to Manila and reported to training last Wednesday.
“This time around, we kind of feel like we know each other more [and] everybody knows JC (more). I feel we can be better,” Ramos added.
Ramos’ projection may not be that off.
Clarkson’s latest tour of duty could team him up alongside the likes of June Mar Fajardo, Rhenz Abando and AJ Edu, who all impressed in the camp in Europe and in a pocket tournament in China earlier this month.
The Utah Jazz could very well have another run with Ramos, hands down the steadiest member of the program throughout the Qualifiers after averaging 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 steals over the course of 10 games.