Gilas Pilipinas went without Jordan Clarkson and dropped its final tuneup game against Mexico, 84-77, on Monday, Aug. 21, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City leading up to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup this Friday. 

The Nationals stood their ground and managed to put the match to a stalemate at halftime, 51-all, before the Mexicans steadily pulled away for good. 

NBA star Clarkson sat out the game after requesting a break for having played the most significant minutes in the Philippines’ two previous closer-door games which left Gilas skipper Scottie Thompson to fend for the squad with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists as the lone bright spot in the losing effort.

“He just needed a rest,” said team manager Butch Antonio, assuring that Clarkson isn’t suffering from any injury that could impede his stint in the World Cup. 

“Nothing like that. He really just wanted to rest,” he added. 

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes echoed the same line. “Kailangan lang niya ng pahinga,” he said.

There were no other Gilas players who tallied more than nine points after Dwight Ramos and RR Pogoy. Jamie Malonzo and Kai Sotto couldn’t breach the double-digit mark  with eight points apiece. 

The hot-shooting Mexico, which landed in Group D with Lithuania, Montenegro and Egypt, went 13-of-24 from the outside compared to the Philippines’ 7-of-23. 

Pako Cruz and Paul Stoll stepped up for the Mexicans after finishing with 18 and 17 points, respectively while Fabian Jaimes contributed 15 points to help their side stay ahead come the endgame. 

The Philippines opened its first of three tuneup games with a convincing 85-62 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday before running out of steam against Montenegro, 102-87, a day prior. 

The Clarkson-led Nationals are set to open their World Cup campaign against NBA star Karl Anthony Towns’ Dominican Republic on Friday, Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena.