Gilas says Jordan Clarkson 'just needed rest' as he sat out tuneup vs Mexico

Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio explained the reason behind Jordan Clarkson's benching in their 84-77 loss to Mexico in a closed-door tuneup encounter on Monday night at the PhilSports Arena.

Antonio allayed fears of injury by saying Clarkson simply needed some rest with only a few days left before the nationals open their campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup starting on August 25.

“He just needed a rest,” Antonio said. “Nothing like that. He really just wanted to rest.”

Sans the Utah Jazz guard, Gilas Pilipinas suffered a close loss to the Mexicans with Scottie Thompson leading the team with 14 points along with six rebounds and five assists as they fell to 1-2.

Prior to that, Clarkson has been dominant for the Filipinos.

The 31-year-old gunner tallied a team-high 13 points, all in the first half, and six rebounds in the 85-62 victory against Ivory Coast last Friday before he dropped 27 markers, five dimes, two boards, and one steal in the 102-87 loss to Montenegro on Sunday.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes agreed, saying rest was the reason for Clarkson's sitting out.

“Kailangan lang niya ng pahinga (He just needed rest),” the coach said.

Barring any health issues, Clarkson is good to go on Friday, when the national team slugs it out against the Dominican Republic to kick off their World Cup campaign.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News