Nationals, Clarkson carve out best Asiad finish in 16 years
JAKARTA– Team Philippines, a hastily formed squad unsure if it could win any game at all, showed it could beat them all soundly and win a championship as it closed out its basketball campaign in Asia’s biggest stage with an emphatic 109-55 victory over Syria and a decent fifth place finish in the 18th Asian Games men’s basketball competition at the Istora Gelano Bung Karno here last night.
Jordan Clarkson, Stanley Pringle, Maverick Ahanmisi, Poy Erram and Asi Taulava got the team to a swashbuckling start and the rest also played without fear, without mercy in another grand performance ending Team Phl’s campaign in the Jakarta Games.
Though missing a medal, they nonetheless made quite an impression with their no-nonsense effort that gave the country its best finish in Asiad basketball since in 16 years.
“What a journey. It’s not the result we wanted but fifth place is the best we’ve had in 16 years,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.
Clarkson sizzled with five threepointers and a total of 29 points while Christian Standhardinger sparkled with 27 markers and 15 boards to lead the Nationals to their 54-point conquest of the hapless Syrian side.
“We’re happy with the way we ended the tournament. We didn’t expect to win by a large margin against Syria. We knew their dangerous team, but the guys really wanted to win it for the country,” said national coach Yeng Guiao.
“It’s too bad ngayon pa lang gumaganda ang laro ni Jordan Clarkson with the team. We know how good he is individually, but that individual ability of his is blending well with the team just now. It’s too bad kinulang sa oras,” Guiao also said.
He felt one good break or two going with them against China could have made them a medal finisher.
Iran and China fight for the gold while Korea and Chinese Taipei slug it out for the bronze today. “But we have no regrets,” said Guiao. “Three weeks ago we never thought we could be coming here. I thought it’s a no-win situation and I had second thoughts. I was thinking we’re sending ourselves up to fail with the situation,” Guiao added.
With a selection of players trained for a few days, Guiao himself was surprised with their showing here marked by victories against Kazakhstan, Japan and Syria, a near upset of China and a game against Korea that they lost in the last few minutes.
“It could have been better with breaks going our way. But it’s still a great experience. We’ll never forget this us a group,” said Guiao.
Up ahead for half of the team is the FIBA World Cup qualifiers against Iran on Sept. 13 and against Qatar on Sept. 17.
Pringle, Standhardinger, Erram, Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood and Asi Taulava will report for practice Monday at the Meralco Gym along with Matthew Wright, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson, Ian Sangalanga and Allein Malicsi.