THE late great Carlos Loyzaga had always said: “It doesn’t matter what is written at the back of your jersey, what matters is the flag you represent on its front.”
Loyzaga, who passed away seven years ago at age 85, was the first Filipino basketball to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, owing to his leadership on the court that led to the Philippines’ bronze-medal achievement in the 1954 World Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
To this day, it remains the best finish ever by an Asian country in the world basketball tournament.
Fast forward to 2023, Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson personified that pride of representing his grandmother’s country.
The Utah Jazz star in the NBA has chosen to embrace the opportunity to represent his Filipino roots once again and compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup alongside his fellow countrymen.
In a statement by the SBP after securing his nod, Clarkson “is not a Filipino for convenience but Filipino by blood.”
“He recognizes how his presence on the world stage will elevate Filipino pride while using his God-given athletic talents, humility, and style to play the game he loves on Philippine soil. While participating in this magnificent event, he’ll also pay homage to his late Lola Marcelina Tullao’s legacy,” the SBP said.
Once again, Clarkson is lending his NBA-level skills to a Philippine squad that is admittedly the underdogs against world-class contenders, but overflowing with a big, fighting heart and love for the country.
Clarkson has always wanted to wear the flag on his chest, even before he became one of Utah’s vital cogs.
PUSO!
“I’m here in Manila, excited to play for Team Philippines. We’re goin’ to have a good time, [try to] get some wins” said Clarkson in a video post a few days before their debut game against the Dominican Republic.
Despite a demanding schedule abroad, Kai Sotto has also made a short stop in the Philippines to represent the Philippines.
“I am always thankful for the support of my kababayan (countrymen) and it’s always exciting to play for our country,” said the 7’3” center Sotto, who is bidding to become the first Filipino homegrown player to play in the NBA.
The rest of the Gilas squad—a unique mix of young guns and veterans in June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, Jamie Malonzo, Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Roger Pogoy, and CJ Perez – provides an aura of pride and hope.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes was the same mentor when the chest-thumping “Puso” became the motivational battlecry of an earlier Gilas version.
Bidding to book a berth in the Paris Olympics, Reyes said: “I think Puso is still very much present. It’s still the anchor of everything that we’re doing. We will always fight until we cannot fight anymore for our country. That is what ‘Laban Pilipinas, Puso’ is all about.” With Randy Caluag
Photos and Graphics from FIBA