JORDAN Clarkson arrived early Tuesday morning to join a Gilas Pilipinas team that is finally showing signs of progress, exactly 17 days before the 2023 World Cup co-host plays its first game against Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena.
The eight-year NBA veteran from the Utah Jazz was mobbed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 when he arrived in an early-morning flight from Los Angeles before being whisked off by security and SBP officials.
READ: Gilas caps China campaign with repeat win over Iran
The Fil-Am guard's arrival coincides with Gilas' first significant breakthrough since the pool was put together months ago - a 3-1 campaign in a China pocket tournament capped by a 63-48 repeat win over an Iran team on Monday night.
Now the team and its prized naturalized player reunite in Manila to put the final touches to its preparations for three games - Italy and Angola are the others in its group - that Gilas hopes would lead to a longshot spot in the knockout rounds, or perhaps the Olympic spot reserved for Asia's top finisher.
"Think we got a good chance," Clarkson told mediamen who waited for him in ambush at the airport.
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Clarkson, who last played for Gilas in the World Cup qualifiers early in the year, was supposed to be the final piece in what was imagined as the best Philippine national team ever assembled.
However, such was not the case as Kai Sotto, the 7-foot-3 center, remains unsigned amid contentious negotiations between his camp and the SBP.
READ: Is Gilas ready to move on without Kai Sotto?
With or without Sotto, Gilas and Clarkson are set to play two more tune-up games back home against Mexico and Montenegro or any other World Cup team willing to spar with the tournament co-host.
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