The Philippines could’ve never had a more famous pair of spectators.
With NBA great Yao Ming of China at the sidelines maybe on a scouting mission, and current NBA player Jordan Clarkson on the bench for the Philippines, both bore witness to how the Filipinos demolished Kazakhstan for a masterful 96-59 debut win in the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games at the BGK Basketball Stadium in Indonesia.
Yao, the 7-foot-6 former Houston Rockets legend and current president of the Chinese Basketball Association, of course wasn’t exactly doing real scouting for China but he nonetheless can relay to his team, based on what he saw, how dangerous the Filipinos are when the two nations clash on Tuesday.
As for Clarkson, the 6-foot-5 guard of the Cleveland Cavaliers saw first-hand what type of team he’ll be joining when he finally plays his first game for the Philippines in this multi-sports meet.
“Yes sir,” said the Filipino-American Clarkson when asked if he is excited to suit up for the national team.
Stanley Pringle, in his first 5-on-5 stint with Rain or Shine-backed national team following his 3×3 experience last June, led the Philippines with 18 points, while his 3×3 teammate Christian Standhardinger had 15 points.
Paul Dalistan Lee and James Yap, two players involved in a blockbuster deal two years ago in the PBA, came off the bench to contribute 12 and 10 points for the Rain or Shine-backed national team.
Clarkson, who arrived at the venue late in the third quarter, will join practice Thursday afternoon as the team starts to prepare for China, which has two NBA players in 7-foot-2 Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets and 6-foot-7 Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks.
“Now the next mission is China,” said national team coach Yeng Guiao. “It can’t get any better as far as the situation, this is the way you want to build up the confidence and the momentum going to the China game.”
“We have four days to fit in JC, and then we’ll try to give China a good challenge,” added Guiao. “I appreciate the fact that Jordan Clarkson tried to catch up in the game coming off the plane. That gave them (players) a lot of motivation just seeing him there.”
The victory earned the national team outright berth to the knockout quarterfinal round.
“It’s just a big relief that we made the next round. With the short preparation, the guys proved that they have big hearts and that they can play the international brand of play,” said Guiao.
True enough, Kazakhstan proved barely a threat to the Filipinos. They shot only 13 of their 32 two-point attempts (41%) and bricked most of their treys, sinking only five of 28 attempts (18%).
The Kazakhs were led by Anton Bykov with 13 points and 5 boards.
In contrast, the Filipinos waxed hot from two-point range (23 of 39 for 59%), but hit 12 triples on a 31% clip, a weapon they must improve on to stand a chance against the tall and fast Chinese, who will be backstopped by NBA Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets and Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks.
PH 96 – Pringle 18, Standhardinger 15, Yap 12, Lee 10, Tiu 9, Norwood 7, Almazan 6, Erram 5, Belga 5, Taulava 5, Ahanmisi 4.
KAZAKHSTAN 59 – Bykov 13, Gavrilov 9, Yergali 8, Zhigulin 7, Bazhin 6, Chsherbak 6, Kuanov 6, Marchuk 2, Maidekin 2, Yagodkin 0, Satkeyev 0.
Quarters: 16-9, 41-20, 61-43, 96-59. Yao Ming photo courtesy of Reuters
