Clarkson mixes well with Gilas

All of these past few days, we’re just trying to walk through and make him familiar. I’m happy. We are very happy. I know this is not yet his 100 percent

JAKARTA – Jordan Clarkson had his first scrimmage with Gilas Pilipinas a couple of days before facing China tomorrow in the men’s basketball competition of the 18th Asian Games here.

Save for some minor errors due to the lack of familiarity with his teammates, Clarkson still looks like the National Basketball Association (NBA) player sensation that he is.

“That’s our first scrimmage with him,” Guiao told Daily Tribune’s Asiad coverage supported by Primehomes, looking satisfied with the performance of his prized recruit in a five-on-five, real game-time scenario.

“All of these past few days, we’re just trying to walk through and make him familiar. I’m happy. We are very happy. I know this is not yet his 100 percent.”

Clarkson, who played with celebrated stars like LeBron James, Kevin Love and JR Smith in Cleveland and Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, was finally unleashed in a training session at the Plaza Festival gym Sunday morning.

His passes were crisp and his shooting was on point.

He attacked the baskets at every given opportunity, ran the floor very well and was active on offense.

He, however, committed a passing error when the ball was too fast for Chris Tiu to catch while Raymund Almazan found his chest pass too strong in a fastbreak situation.

Guiao said he needs Clarkson to be at his best against China – a team that Filipinos have yet to beat in an elite tournament like the Asian Games.

“He is just trying to get his teammates involved and get them going. As we can see, if he decides to make a move, he can do almost anything at will,” Guiao said.

“We will see that in the China game. We need him to be at his best,” Guiao added.

The Gilastopainters, as what the Nationals are now known for as they are being backed by Rain or Shine and the Philippine Basketball Association, will have a light practice on Monday to discuss their game plan against the towering Chinese side.

Clarkson is tipped to be active anew as Guiao vowed that he would have a major role on both ends of the floor.

“Tomorrow, we will be practicing lighter but the main goal is to put together the whole defensive game plan against China,” Guiao said.