Simone Fontecchio expressed admiration for his Utah teammate Jordan Clarkson after Italy’s significant victory eliminated Gilas Pilipinas from contention in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Tuesday night.
Fontecchio had nothing but praise for his veteran teammate, mentioning that Filipinos are fortunate to have the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year on their side.
“You guys are unbelievably lucky to have him,” Fontecchio remarked following the Azzurri’s 90-83 triumph over the Philippines at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, which secured their place in the Round of 16.
Gilas Pilipinas, needing a 12-point victory over the 10th-ranked team in the world to advance to the second round, seemed poised to accomplish their mission after a strong first quarter gave them a slim 23-20 advantage going into the second period.
However, the Filipino team struggled thereafter before mounting a last-ditch effort to salvage a spot in the next round. They cut an 18-point deficit to just seven, 81-88, through consecutive points from Clarkson and Jamie Malonzo with 1:43 left in the game.
Yet, that proved to be the limit for Gilas as Alessandro Pajola halted their momentum by converting two free throws.
Fontecchio played a pivotal role for Italy in the crucial victory, contributing a team-high 18 points and six rebounds, propelling his team to a 2-1 record in Group A and securing their place in the second round of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Clarkson showcased his skills for the home crowd, amassing 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal for Gilas, despite the team finishing the group stage without a win.
“It was great, it was fun. He’s a hell of a player. I’m so lucky to have him as a teammate not as an opponent as for today. He’s doing an unbelievable job of playing his heart out,” Fontecchio commented on Clarkson’s performance.
