Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic survived Jordan Clarkson and a game Gilas Pilipinas, 87-81, to send a strong signal at the start of the FIBA World Cup in front of a record-setting 38,115 who packed the Philippine Arena.

Towns, the star player from the Minnesota Timberwolves, finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but got plenty of help from the rest of the Dominicans, who put the pressure on National Basketball Association stalwart Jordan Clarkson in the second half.

Clarkson, an NBA All-Star, and a former Sixth Msn of the Year awardee, couldn't finish the game as he picked up his fifth and last foul in the 3:32 of the fourth.

He led Gilas' production just as expected, finishing with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, but turned the ball over eight times.

Following their win, the Dominicans put the Filipinos in a must-win situation on Sunday against Angola.