Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto to team up as Gilas takes on Ivory Coast in first of 3 friendlies

Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto will lead Gilas Pilipinas when the nationals take on Ivory Coast on Friday night in the first of three friendlies ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

This would be the first time since August last year that the Utah Jazz star and the 7-foot-3 center will play together again as they shift their preparations for the global cagefest into high gear.

“This is the first time we'll play as a complete team with Kai and Jordan,” Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said.

“Ngayon lang natin makikita ang lahat na magkakasama.”

("This is the first time we'll play as a complete team with Kai and Jordan... This is the first time we'll see everyone together.")

Aside from Clarkson and Sotto, also in attendance during Thursday's practice session were June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks, Rhenz Abando, and Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena.

Reyes, though, noted that it would be impossible that all 16 players will be fielded.

“We’ll have to choose 12, maybe a different 12 tomorrow (August 18), a different 12 the next game. But the plan is to use all 16 players,” he said.

After Ivory Coast, Gilas will play two more friendly games against world No. 18 Montenegro on August 20 and No. 31 Mexico on August 21.

Reyes and the coaching staff will use these tuneup games to determine the final 12 lineup to be used for the World Cup, where they will face Italy, Angola, and Dominican Republic.

“As always, the final decision will be made based on who fits the system, who fits the style of everybody else, and kung sino ang mataas na level ang nilalaro at this point combined, especially these last three games.”

("As always, the final decision will be made based on who fits the system, who fits the style of everybody else, and who is playing at the highest level at this point combined, especially these last three games.")

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News