Jordan Clarkson did not disappoint in his first home game for the Philippines.
In front of 19,829 fans inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Filipino-American star who plays for Utah powered Gilas Pilipinas to an 84-46 triumph over Saudi Arabia, Monday evening.
Clarkson was definitely a cut above the rest in this level of competition, easily putting up 23 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 28 minutes. His highlight plays included a near-halfcourt trey to end the opening frame and a thunderous jam to start Gilas’ third quarter onslaught.
Behind Clarkson, Gilas bucked a slow start, going on a 26-point quarter to turn an 11-14 deficit into a 37-28 lead.
Gilas’ defense held Saudi Arabia to just eight points in the third quarter to extend their advantage to 25, 61-36.
With 4:09 left and Gilas up 77-42, Chot Reyes, who was jeered vigorously by the fans, plugged in Clarkson for one last time as an added treat for the fans.
It was not just Clarkson who Reyes plugged in in the closing moments of the blowout as Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos were also fielded.
Gilas notched their third win in six games in Group E while Saudi Arabia went down to 1-5.
In the other Group E game for the day, New Zealand routed Jordan, 100-72, in Auckland. India versus Lebanon in Bangalore was yet to tip-off as of publishing.
Gilas will be playing two road games in the November window, facing Jordan in Amman on the 10th before heading to Jeddah to take on Saudi Arabia on the 13th.
