JAKARTA—Jordan Clarkson’s first stint with the national team earned raves from his coaches and teammates, even if the US-based Filipino guard was unable to lead the Philippines to the podium in the 2018 Asian Games.

A late addition to the already hastily assembled team, Clarkson showed he was a cut above the Asian Games field, with his athleticism and speed giving a new dynamic to the squad. Even when he could not power the Philippines to victory over China and South Korea, his talent was evident.

It was against Japan and Syria in the classification round that Clarkson put everything together. Against Japan he displayed his passing skills, notching nine assists while forming a deadly pick-and-roll tandem with Christian Standhardinger. In the fifth-place game against Syria, he shot 12-of-16 from the field to anchor the Philippines’ 109-55 triumph.

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“Too bad, he was just getting better,” Philippines coach Yeng Guiao said. “Maganda pala ’yung laro niya, hindi na niya pinepwersa, kilala na niya ’yung mga players, ’yung teammates niya.

“It was just too bad. If we played China now or Korea today, maybe we could’ve played even better,” he added.

Guiao had nothing but praise for Clarkson, who rushed to the Basket Hall of the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex upon his arrival in this city to watch his teammates play Kazakhstan on August 16. He joined them in practice that very same afternoon, and showed Guiao his willingness to learn and mesh with the team.

“I guess what he did and what he showed us, is proof enough that he is committed to representing the national team, he is as Filipino as anybody, his heart is Filipino, his commitment really showed in this tournament,” Guiao said of Clarkson.

His teammates were similarly thrilled with Clarkson’s performance on the court and his attitude of it.

Said James Yap of Clarkson: “NBA player ‘yan eh. Pinoy na Pinoy ang ugali.”

The one player who most benefited from Clarkson’s presence was Standhardinger, who was the recipient of several passes from the Cleveland Cavaliers guard out of pick-and-roll plays. The San Miguel Beer big man was the perfect partner for Clarkson, and he said after the Syria game that he “clicked on a very good level" with the NBA star.

“I know exactly what he does now, he knows exactly what I will do and you can see it and every game it got better and better,” said Standhardinger.

Like Guiao, Standhardinger was quite disappointed to have found his groove with Clarkson just as the tournament was ending.

“That’s why I am actually a little sad that we didn’t have more time to really find our groove as pick and roll players. But’s just how it is,” he added.

Standhardinger said: “It was a joy. It was a joy playing basketball with him, it was a joy playing basketball in this system and from coach and it was a joy playing basketball with this great team.”

Clarkson has said that he hopes to play for the Philippines again in the future -- something that Guiao is also looking forward to.

“For JC, for Jordan Clarkson, we hope that he can come back for us and play for us again,” said the coach.

“It’s been a privilege for me, to have him in our team and I’m sure all the Filipinos at home really appreciated his effort, he made a really great contribution to the team.”

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