Lebanon spoils Jordan Clarkson show as Cedars defeat Gilas Pilipinas

Lebanon proved a thorn in the side of Gilas Pilipinas, eking out an 85-81 escape in front of its home crowd to open the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA Asia Cup Asian Qualifiers on early Friday morning (Manila time).

The hosts had a slow start but found their groove just in time to send the Philippines crashing.

Gilas got a solid outing from Jordan Clarkson, who announced his national team return in grand fashion, collecting 18 points in the first half alone, which the Philippines closed out with the Utah Jazz star's off-balanced buzzer-beater triple as they trailed, 49-47.

The Fil-Am guard had 11 markers in the first quarter before going silent for the most part of the second frame as the Filipinos saw a 17-7 lead go down the drain due to 13 turnovers.

But the Filipinos could not sustain their strong start.

Lebanon took control of the game with sniper Wael Arakji making up for a sluggish start, powering his side to a 68-63 third quarter lead. The Filipinos, though, tied things up at 71 in the fourth after a Kai Sotto slam.

Sotto then had a huge block on Ali Haidar but Arakji secured the offensive rebound and drained a three-pointer that basically sealed the deal for Lebanon, 83-78.

The loss spoiled Clarkson's 27-point performance that went alongside seven assists and six rebounds. Dwight Ramos and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 18 and 11 markers for the Philippines.

Arakji starred for the 2022 Asia Cup finalist with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists.

—JMB, GMA News