Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes explained that the decision to include Jordan Clarkson to the lineup for the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers would allow the national team to see how the Filipino-American NBA star along with a couple of PBA players would mesh with the current crop of Gilas players.
Although technically non-bearing matches for Gilas, Reyes bared that Clarkson’s stint would help the team to get a closer look of what kind of game the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year could bring to Gilas.
“We want to see already, ayaw naman natin sa 2023 pa makita. We wanted to have a feel of the kind of game that he's going to bring and already build the understanding and know some of the players that he is going to play with,” said Reyes during an interview with Radyo5’s Power & Play with Kom. Noli Eala.
“We want to build the relationship as early as possible now whether that's two games lang, one window lang we'll take it,” he added.
Aside from committing to Gilas for the World Cup, Reyes revealed that Clarkson assured that he will also be available during the team’s final preparations for the global showpiece.
“Jordan Clarkson had already committed that he is going to be available for the 2023 World Cup. Will he be the final naturalized player in our lineup that remains to be seen and again ayoko pa magsalita ng tapos but it's kinda hard to not take a talent like Jordan Clarkson, an NBA sixth man of the year when he's available,” said Reyes.
“More importantly, he's committed a practice time already, he's already committed a four or six weeks practice time for Gilas next year in the run up to the World Cup,” he added.
Aside from Clarkson, Reyes said the fourth window will also be an opportunity for some of the PBA players to showcase what they can do in international play.
One player that intrigued Reyes is NorthPort forward Jamie Malonzo who was recently revealed to be eligible to play as a local in FIBA-sanctioned events.
Dwight Ramos will most likely be available as well for the August window after sitting out the Asia Cup due to a leg injury.
They are expected to join the likes of Ray Parks Jr., Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao who formed the core of the Gilas team that placed ninth in the Asia Cup.