By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas got a pair of good and bad news as it resumed its preparations for the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Saturday, Aug. 20.
The good news, Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto have finally shared the same court together during the national team practices and Japeth Aguilar rejoined the team.
And the bad one? Gilas will most likely be without guys like Ian Sangalang and Jio Jalalon for the game against Lebanon on Aug. 25.
Clarkson, who arrived Friday night after a long 14-hour flight from Los Angeles, immediately went on to work during the training the next day which was also attended by Sotto and the rest of the national team pool members.
The 30-year-old Fil-American guard, who won a Sixth Man of the Year award in NBA last year, is expected to be the main man for the team not just in the fourth window but also in the FIBA World Cup which the country will be co-hosting next year along with Japan and Indonesia.
Clarkson also uploaded a series of photos of him rocking the Gilas jerseys during the practice sessions in his social media accounts.
Hopes are also high on Sotto and Aguilar who will be tasked to alternately man the paint for the national team especially with June Mar Fajardo already ruled out after San Miguel made it to the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Finals and big men like Aguilar and Sangalang likely unavailable for the August games.
Aguilar was reportedly under health and safety protocol trough a series of tweets by his wife Cassandra Naidas. In her latest tweets, Aguilar tested negative and rejoined the team practice.
Meanwhile, Sangalang along with teammate Jalalon reportedly begged off from joining the national team due to injuries.
Manila Bulletin-Tempo tried to reach out to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for confirmation through Executive Director and Spokesperson Sonny Barrios but has yet to receive a reply as of press time.
