Jordan Clarkson found it puzzling that Philippines coach Chot Reyes was met with boos when his name was announced before Gilas’ 90-83 defeat to Italy in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With 11,821 fans in attendance, Reyes’ name elicited negative reactions from the crowd, while the names of every player were met with positive cheers.
It appeared as though the fans inside the venue were fully willing to support only those competing on the floor, but not the main man calling the shots from the sidelines.
Clarkson, in particular, did not appreciate the gesture directed at his coach.
“Yeah, I think so,” said the Utah Jazz star, who led Gilas with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in 37 minutes of play.
“It is, I guess, a little weird, especially since we’re hosting and we’re the home country.”
Reyes being booed has become a recurring occurrence in Gilas games. The multi-time PBA champion mentor was booed when Clarkson and the team faced Saudi Arabia at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on November 14, 2022.
The phenomenon repeated last Sunday before Gilas took on Angola and ultimately lost. The former Los Angeles Lakers player has had to endure this at least three times in his international career, and it is something he does not appreciate.
“But yeah, like I said, I don’t really know much about the situation, but as you said, it does feel a little strange and kind of out of the ordinary, honestly,” commented Clarkson.
Nonetheless, despite the fans’ discontent inside the venue or on social media, Reyes is the person appointed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to oversee this World Cup campaign.
Despite three consecutive losses in the group phase, Gilas can still secure a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in France by competing in two matches in the classification stage.
Should that come to pass, the coach who was the runner-up in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup might find some form of redemption in the eyes of the public.
“We’re fighting,” said Clarkson. “We’re mentally strong. We’re going to put it together. We’ll try to secure these two wins. We know what it means for the country.
“We’re going to leave everything on the floor.”
