Pinoy pride — Gilas star posts historic triple-double

(Photo by Alex Goodlett / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to post a historic triple-double and help the Utah Jazz pull off a 127-90 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association regular season late Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
Clarkson, who has been representing Gilas Pilipinas in the international arena, posted 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to emerge as the first Jazz to record a rare feat in a regular season game since Carlos Boozer delivered 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in their 112-93 win over the Seattle Supersonics on 13 February 2008.
Ricky Rubio was the last Jazz to emerge with a triple-double but he did in the playoffs in 2018.
It was also the first triple-double of a Jazz bench player in more than two decades since Mark Eaton delivered 12 points, 14 rebounds and 12 blocks in their 136-143 win over the Denver Nuggets on 5 February 1983.
"It was a very cool little milestone to put on my list," Clarkson, whose maternal grandmother is from Pampanga, said.
The 31-year-old Clarkson achieved the triple-double in his 685th regular-season game, and 728th game of his career.
He was a second-round pick, 46th overall, in the 2014 draft by Washington before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019 and moved to the Jazz in 2019.
Clarkson had several near-misses in the fourth quarter before grabbing his 10th, and final, rebound with 2:28 left.
He wrapped up the ball, called timeout and then his teammates and Jazz fans erupted with cheers.
"All the way up to the rebound, I was a little nervous," Clarkson said.
Clarkson's triple-double is the latest step away from a reputation as a gunner he gained earlier in his NBA career.
"He's adapted to a new role and he's really trying to expand how he contributes to winning," Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
