Dwight Ramos with Gilas Pilipinas. –FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Gilas Pilipinas turned in two of its finest performances on the Fiba (international basketball federation) stage when it had Jordan Clarkson, but the Philippines can put together an even better showing once the World Cup rolls around later this month.
Dwight Ramos, the program cornerstone who had been solid throughout that continental showcase and consistently present in the ramp-up to the August 25 global showcase, is sure of this.
“I played with him in [a previous] window and [it] was just like an adjustment period,” he recently said of Clarkson, the naturalized standout who finally returned to Manila and reported to training last Wednesday.
“This time around, we kind of feel like we know each other more [and] everybody knows JC (more). I feel we can be better,” Ramos added.
Ramos’ projection may not be that off.
Clarkson’s latest tour of duty could team him up alongside the likes of June Mar Fajardo, Rhenz Abando and AJ Edu, who all impressed in the camp in Europe and in a pocket tournament in China earlier this month.
The Utah Jazz could very well have another run with Ramos, hands down the steadiest member of the program throughout the Qualifiers after averaging 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 steals over the course of 10 games.
Jordan Clarkson during his first practice with Gilas Pilipinas ahead of the Fiba World Cup.
National coach Chot Reyes, in an earlier television interview, also said that he is expecting an improved version of the Utah Jazz ace—one that he hopes to unveil as the Nationals enter the final days of coalescing.
Gilas will have a chance to do just that in the three friendly duels lined up in the coming days. Barring any complications, the Philippines is set to host Ivory Coast on Aug. 16 and then Montenegro and Mexico in the World Cup’s opening week.
“[I’m] just very excited. It just keeps getting closer and closer and the team is starting to come together,” said Ramos.
Meanwhile, the training squad continues to wait for medical clearances for Kai Sotto and Scottie Thompson to rejoin training.
Reyes said earlier this week that the national federation has been requesting to have Sotto examined by Gilas’ own doctor or obtain a copy of his MRI results in a bid to protect itself from being liable for potential injuries.
Thompson’s fractured hand is being evaluated on a weekly basis, and Reyes has since expressed that he has to make “a difficult decision” should the Philippine Basketball Association’s reigning Most Valuable Player be unable to get back to the pink of health.
The Philippines is bunched with the Dominican Republic, Angola, and World No. 10 Italy in Group A of the showcase that will run until Sept. 10.
The Italians have been living up to their lofty ranking, ruling its own Trentino Cup and then sweeping the Acropolis International Basketball Tournament hosted by Greece. INQ
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