Gilas Pilipinas received a significant boost as coach Chot Reyes confirmed that Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson will be joining the team for the FIBA World Cup next month. Clarkson’s arrival on August 6th comes after extensive discussions with “Team Clarkson” and marks a pivotal addition to the squad. Although he’ll miss the pocket tournament in China from August 2nd to 6th, Clarkson’s commitment is now locked in for the upcoming games.

Meanwhile, the status of center Kai Sotto remains uncertain. He attended practice but didn’t participate due to a back injury sustained during the NBA Summer League. While team doctors have cleared him, an MRI revealed some concerns. Sotto’s camp reportedly hasn’t signed his contract to play in the World Cup, raising doubts about his participation. Nevertheless, Gilas Pilipinas is staying focused on their preparation, ready to face any scenario with the players available. With Clarkson’s addition, the team’s prospects look promising, and they continue to hope for positive news regarding Sotto’s availability.