One last shot at World Cup win for Clarkson

MANILA, Philippines — Losing in the FIBA World Cup on home ground has become tiring for Gilas Pilipinas gunner Jordan Clarkson.

So now, more than ever, the Fil-Am Utah Jazz star is determined to lead the hosts to that elusive victory before heading back to his NBA duties.

“Tough one again,” the Fil-Am Utah Jazz star said after the Nationals went down for the fourth time in the tourney versus history-making South Sudan.

“I feel like I’m coming back and saying the same thing. Tough game. We’re playing a hard fight and this team is competing, that’s all I could say right now.”

Clarkson and his Gilas brothers in arms fell short in completing their fightback from 21 points and conceded a 68-87 loss to the WC debutantes Bright Stars at the start of the classification phase. This followed painful setbacks to the Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy in the first round.

“They (South Sudan) were making shots. We made adjustments, which was the reason why we started coming back in the game. They made another adjustment and finished the game out,” he noted.

Jordan and Co. look to go all the way through in tonight’s last hurrah against China.

“Film, practice, trying to figure out what to do,” Clarkson said of Gilas’ routine in the 48 hours preceding the duel with China, a squad bannered by his old college rival, Kyle Anderson (nee Li Kaier).

“We just didn’t get it done (in the four previous matches).”