In preparation for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Philippine national team, Gilas Pilipinas, is ramping up its training efforts.
However, it appears that Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and young talent Kai Sotto will not be joining the team for their Europe training camp and series of tuneup matches.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Friday that, except for Clarkson and Sotto, the rest of the active players in the pool are on call for scheduled pre-World Cup pocket tournaments and tune-up matches in Europe.
These matches will see the team facing off against Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, and Latvia national teams.
Clarkson, 31, still has a year remaining on his contract with the Jazz but can negotiate a new deal or explore free agency.
Meanwhile, Sotto has been participating in mini camps with NBA teams such as the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, and soon, the New York Knicks, in hopes of earning a chance to play in the NBA Summer League.
"Except for Clarkson, who has one more year left in his contract with the Utah Jazz and is reportedly looking to either negotiate a new deal or test the free market, and Sotto, who is eyeing a stint in the NBA Summer League, the active players in the pool are on call for scheduled pre-World Cup pocket tournaments and tuneup matches in Europe against the Estonian national team, Finland, Lithuania and Latvia," said the SBP.
Gilas Pilipinas recently held its first practice with 14 players from the 21-man pool in attendance.
The pool includes notable names like Clarkson, naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, as well as Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Jordan Heading, Rhenz Abando, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Japeth Aguilar, JP Erram, Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo, and AJ Edu.
Unfortunately, some players in the pool are still recovering from injuries, including Roger Pogoy (fractured pinky), Bobby Ray Parks (muscle strain), and Calvin Oftana (Grade 2 calf muscle strain).
The Philippines, as one of the co-hosts of the World Cup alongside Japan and Indonesia, will make its tournament debut against the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
