STAKEHOLDERS and basketball enthusiasts are keeping their hopes high as the Gilas Pilipinas battles China at 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 21, in the 18th Asian Games basketball competition at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Sports Complex Basketball Hall in Indonesia.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez said, "The team is inspired with the presence of Jordan Clarkson."
The Dabawenyo chief of the national sports agency also cited Clarkson as a reserved young Fil-Am with Filipino values and speaks with intelligence.
PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey said the Philippines is facing a "very strong team" in China, a tall team with great outside shooting.
"We can use speed to negate our disadvantage in height. JC can score and create opportunities for his teammates with his skills. Our outside shooting must click if we are to have a chance of beating China. Otherwise we just cannot scale the Great Wall with an inside game and speed," Maxey said.
Meralco Bolts player Baser Amer, who played for Gilas against Australia in the controversial basketball brawl last July 2 in the Philippine Arena, said the Yeng Guiao-coached Gilas has always a chance to win in every game.
"With the help of Coach Yenga and his team, may malaking possibility na they will come up with a good strategy to beat China. We can all see the effect of the coaches' leadership to the players and kailangan lang nilang tatagan yung puso nila and of course they have to be mentally prepared," Amer added.
Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) deputy director Marlon Malbog said Gilas can defend well and get high percentage in outside and free throw shooting.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Clarkson is a big addition, he said, adding that the nationals can create havoc once they penetrate and challenge the young Chinese big men. "Wag lang sana manggigil sa offense."
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)-Davao executive program officer Ronel Leuterio, for his part, said, "China is not as formidable as before - it can be done."
He also said that height is not as mightier as before as three-point shooting and fast-paced transition game have become more vital.
Coach Ice Gravador, coach of Holy Cross of Davao College and Lamb of God Sped Academy, however, said that it would be crucial for Clarkson to adjust to Guiao's system. "Hopefully the team will be able to win the game."
In the 2014 Asian Games, China defeated Philippines, 78-71. China then finished fifth while the Philippines placed seventh.