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Friday, March 29, 2024

Cavalry coming: Clarkson to rejoin Gilas; Sotto, too?

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More experienced players from the Philippine Basketball Association and Jordan Clarkson will be available when the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team plays in the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Jordan Clarkson (Left) and Kai Sotto

Gilas Pilipinas program director and head coach Chot Reyes said this on Wednesday after the Philippines lost to Japan, 80-102, Tuesday evening in the playoffs of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia.

By the time the FIBA event happens, the Philippine Basketball Association Philippines would have been in the semifinals and finals stage.

By then, PBA players who were not able to join practice sessions and see action in the third window will be around to reinforce Team Philippines’ young players, who were plucked from the collegiate ranks.

“We will have PBA players who will be available here. We also have word that Jordan can and will be around to play in all the games,” said Reyes in a virtual huddle.

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The Philippines is in Group A of the fourth window’s second round with New Zealand, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Gilas is set to have its first match in the fourth window with Lebanon in Beirut on Aug. 25, followed by Saudi Arabia on Aug. 29 in Manila.

Reyes also hopes that the 7’3” Kai Sotto will also be around to be with Gilas.

For now, Team Philippines will take a break and begin practicing again by August 15 when all the players are available.

“At least we will see some more players we can take a look at for 2023. That’s part of the plan, the August 25 window,” added Reyes.

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