Gilas Pilipinas made the decision to rest Jordan Clarkson for their final tuneup game before the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
And they paid dearly against the Selección de baloncesto de México.
The Philippines fell to Mexico, 77-84, in the game that would be the determining factor for Chot Reyes’ final 12 for the global meet on Monday at the Philsports Arena.
The Gilas brass opted to rest Clarkson, who put up numbers of 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in their friendlies against the Ivory Coast and Montenegro, in preparation for their Friday game against the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Thirdy Ravena sat out their third straight friendly, probably a sign that the two won’t make the final lineup.
Surprisingly, Calvin Oftana, who was in the lineup, was not fielded for the game. The TNT forward only played in one of the tuneup games, playing four minutes against Montenegro on Sunday.
Without Clarkson, reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson had to carry the cudgels for Gilas against the world No. 31, producing 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Except for Rhenz Abando, every Gilas player scored in the contest.
Roger Pogoy finally broke out of his slump, scoring nine points. Dwight Ramos also chipped in nine points.
Kai Sotto, who started the game, got eight points and two rebounds while Jamie Malonzo also chipped in eight.
Despite not having Clarkson, the Filipinos kept in step with the Mexicans until the midway point of the final frame.
Josh Ibarra and Fabian Jaimes though knocked down big buckets, giving their side a 77-69 lead.
Ramos and June Mar Fajardo tried to rally the home side back but a backbreaking triple by Pako Cruz with 1:38 remaining sealed the deal for the Mexicans, who will face Montenegro on Friday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Cruz led Mexico with 18 points on four treys.
Paul Stoll produced 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Ibarra tallied 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Scores:
Mexico 84 – Cruz 18, Stoll 17, Jaimes 15, Ibarra 12, Bonilla 6, Giron 6, Gutierrez I. 4, Camacho 3, Andriasi 3, Gutierrez J. 0, Amigo 0.
Philippines 77 – Thompson 14, Pogoy 9, Ramos 9, Sotto 8, Malonzo 8, Ravena 7, Newsome 6, Fajardo 6, Edu 3, Aguilar 3, Abando 0.
Quarterscores: 31-27, 51-51, 69-63, 84-77.
