Jordan Clarkson adapting well with Gilas Pilipinas ahead of Lebanon game

With just less than a week of in-person training with Gilas Pilipinas, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas said Jordan Clarkson has been adapting very well with the national team ahead of their Lebanon game in the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

SBP executive director and spokesperson Sonny Barrios said Clarkson is already comfortable with his fellow Gilas players.

"He adapts very well and he can relate very much to the three senior coaches: Chot [Reyes], Tim [Cone], and Jong [Uichico]," Barrios said in Monday's special forum of the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

"Aside from the high energy na napansin ko prevailing sa buong team, as far as Jordan is concerned, pati 'yung side interaction nila sa kapwa eh ano siya, very comfortable."

For Barrios, the nationals heading to Lebanon are already picking up their team chemistry.

"As far as cohesion is concerned, magandang-maganda. Very promising at very nice to watch silang magkakasama," he said.

While Clarkson had only been with the team for a while, Barrios said the Fil-Am NBA player already showed that he was good as advertised.

"As expected, 'yung tinatawag na learning curve niya sa plays eh napakabilis. 'Yung lahat ng katabi ko na nanonood ng practice, iisa lang ang komentaryo nila: iba talaga ang kilos ni Jordan," he said. "He's not just one cut above the rest, if i may say without downplaying the ability of our players."

With the 13-man lineup, including Clarkson, announced on Monday, Barrios said Gilas will give a good fight against Lebanon.

"Mabigat 'yung Lebanon pero we are confident that we will play well. 'Di natin puwedeng sabihin na siguradong tatalunin natin, pero siguradong lalaban tayo ng magandang laban."

Gilas Pilipinas will play Lebanon on Friday early morning (Manila time).

—JMB, GMA News