By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines are beyond excited to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and these people proved it by packing out the Philippine Arena, the largest indoor venue in the world, with a competition record attendance of 38.115 fans in the stands for their debut.
Against the Dominican Republic, however, Gilas couldn’t get the victory, losing 87-81 against Karl-Anthony Towns and his teammates. Playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves dominant center, Jordan Clarkson had to leave the game earlier than expected, committing his 5th foul with 3:32 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Talking exclusively to Eurohoops, he came back to that outing full of emotions. “It’s just a loss, definitely a tough one because we wanted to win. I ain’t the chance to finish the game, like I said some of that stuff is out of my control. I just gotta not put myself in those situations in terms of fouls, and stuff like that. But I definitely feel like this game is behind us and we gotta go taking these next games, starting with tonight”, Jordan Clarkson said.
Playing in front of that crowd was definitely an experience to remember for him. “It was fun, it was definitely amazing. The turnout and the support were great. For us, being the host city is definitely felt. A lot of our games will be loud and packed out: we looking forward to those”, the 31-year-old shooting guard continued.
The Philippines will now have to play against Angola, which had a promising outcome against the Italian national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup opener. “They’re physical, athletic, they defend. They have a really good big guy. It’s a big challenge ahead of us tonight”, Clarkson added.
In the third and last game of the group, the Philippines will go up against Italy, meaning that Jordan Clarkson and his NBA teammate Simone Fontecchio will meet on the court. “I ain’t talked with him, I ain’t seeing him very much. But I had the chance to watch the game before ours, and he’s doing a great job over there. He’s really good. They come out with skilled and talented players all the time”, the Utah Jazz player spoke about his Italian friend.
“We want to put on a show tonight”, he finally stated ahead of the decisive clash in Group A against the African side, as both teams are currently at the bottom after losing in their respective debuts.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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