Gilas shines vs Ivory Coast

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas let loose its full complement of 16 stalwarts led by Jordan Clarkson for the first time in an actual game and got a promising result.

Clarkson, in only his ninth day in the camp, dropped 13 early points to get things running. Then his teammates took the cue and sealed an 85-62 romp over Ivory Coast Friday night at the PhilSports Arena.

The Fil-Am NBA star knocked down his first three attempts from deep, a split free throw and a jumper in the first 10 minutes of the closed-door pre-FIBA World Cup tuneup game to inspire Gilas to action.

Clarkson also produced six rebounds, an assist and a steal to go with four turnovers in 24 minutes of duty against the Elephants.

The triple tower of June Mar Fajardo (13 markers), AJ Edu (12 points, seven boards) and returning Kai Sotto (10-4-2) imposed their presence, too, and skipper Scottie Thompson, back from a hand injury, delivered 11 points with five dimes.

The Nationals broke away for good with a 25-9 barrage in the fourth period.

“It was the first time for us to play with Jordan, Kai and Scottie and obviously there’s still some kinks in the offense,” said Reyes.

Clarkson joined the camp late due to contract issues with the Utah Jazz and problems securing a Chinese visa while Sotto’s back injury sustained during the NBA Summer League delayed his entry. Thompson was reactivated after fracturing his right hand in their European trip last month.

“We had 18 turnovers and that’s something we need to address but I think we showed a lot of great intention in moving the ball and finding each other,” said Reyes.

“Secondly, I think more important was really the defense. I thought we shone brightly. The guys played tremendous defense.”

Reyes deployed Clarkson in the first half then gave him a breather most of the third and the entire fourth. The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year is expected to play longer minutes in the next warmup matches against Montenegro today and Mexico tomorrow before their WC opener on Friday against the Dominican Republic.

“He had a couple of turnovers but that’s going to improve in the next two games. Plinano talaga namin ang playing time niya. It was important for Jordan to play the entire first half to get his game wind slowly. He has a couple more games to get in game shape,” he said.

Thompson and Sotto’s comeback outings will also augur well for the Nationals.

“I liked the way Scottie moved and you can see that Kai was a big factor, although he’s still not 100 percent from his back problems. But he gives us that much-needed depth in the frontline,” said Reyes.

The Elephants, who will vie in Group G over in Jakarta, provided a good test and lesson playing against a tall, athletic African opponent ahead of Gilas’ WC duel with Angola on Aug. 27.

“This is not the World Cup. We take solace in the fact at least we got one game under our belt with those three guys (Clarkson, Sotto and Thompson) in,” said Reyes.

The scores:

Philippines 85 – Clarkson 13, Fajardo 13, Edu 12, Thompson 11, Sotto 10, Ramos 7, Aguilar 6, Abando 5, Pogoy 4, Perez 3, K. Ravena 1, Malonzo 0, Newsome 0.

Ivory Coast 62 – Kone 12, Dadiet 12, Sidibe 8, Tape 6, V. Fofana 5, Zouzoua 5, Dally 3, Diabate 3, Moulare 2, Abouo 2, Bah 2, Traore 2, M. Fofana 0.