NBA star Jordan Clarkson admitted on Tuesday, August 29, that he found the contempt received by Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes as 'weird'.
During the match between the Philippines and Italy on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, the crowd booed Reyes when introduced at the start of the game.
Netizens have blamed Reyes for the losses of Gilas Pilipinas at the hands of Dominican Republic, 87-81, on Friday, August 25, and Angola, 80-70, on Sunday, August 27.
Some have even called for the removal of Reyes as head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas.
"It is especially weird since it is us hosting, us being the country. I don't really know much about the situation...It kind of feel weird, you know, kind of out of the ordinary," Clarkson said after the match against Italy.
The Philippines dropped out of contention for the FIBA World Cup title after losing to Italy, 90-83, on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
However, Clarkson assured that Gilas Pilipinas remains motivated to win the remaining games of the country in the competition, and become the best Asian squad in the tournament.
By finishing the tournament as the top ranked Asian country, the Philippines will earn a ticket to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
"From the beginning, we've been motivated. The team is strong. We fight. We ain't giving up throughout the whole game. Basketball is a game of missed shots, of ups and downs," Clarkson stressed.
"We know what it means for the country and we are going to leave it all on the floor," he added.
