China's Li Kaier expects 'tough, fun' classification clash vs Clarkson-led Gilas

China's naturalized player Kyle Anderson, also known as Li Kaier, expects nothing less than an intense match-up when his squad collides with the host Philippines in the classification phase of the 2023 FIBA World Cup here.

Li said he is looking forward to facing Gilas Pilipinas as both teams are in the race to become the best Asian team in the tournament, with a ticket to the 2023 Paris Olympics up for grabs.

"It's going to be an intense environment [as] they're a really good team, they got some good players over there and they got the crowd on their side so it'll be a tough [and] fun environment," Li said on the heels of their 107-89 loss to Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Li also said he is excited for his match-up against the Philippines' Jordan Clarkson.

The two cagers faced each other during their collegiate days in the US NCAA Division I with Li bannering the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins while Clarkson suited up for University of Tulsa before transferring to University of Missouri.

After college, the two also went on playing in the NBA. Li is currently part of the Minnesota TImberwolves while Clarkson is one of the stars for the Utah Jazz, winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2021.

Now, they will be up against each other again, this time in a new setting, the FIBA World Cup.

"I've been playing against him since college so it's always fun to go against him. It's always fun to compete," Li added.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News