Clarkson-less Gilas crushes Kazakhstan in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines – Stanley Pringle fueled an early breakaway as the Philippines blasted Kazakhstan, 96-59, in the 2018 Asian Games on Thursday, August 16 at the GBK Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

The Filipinos pulled away right in the opening minutes, 12-2, built a 21-point gap by halftime, 41-20, then held on to a double-digit lead for the rest of the way at the start of Group D men’s basketball action. 

Pringle topscored with 18 points on top of 4 rebounds and 2 assists while James Yap, who also provided an early lift, displayed a vintage effort of 12 points, 5 boards, a steal and a block.

San Miguel rookie Christian Standhardinger chipped in 15 points, 4 boards and a steal.

The Philippines played minus Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson, who arrived in Jakarta on the same day of their opening game. From the airport, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard went straight to the venue and watched most of the second-half action.

Clarkson had to wait for his clearance from the NBA, which gave him a “one-time exception” to play in the continental meet. (LOOK: NBA grants Jordan Clarkson ‘one-time exception’)

But national team coach Yeng Guiao had said they were ready against the Kazakhs even minus Clarkson. (READ: Guiao: Even sans Clarkson, PH ‘ready’ vs Kazakhstan) 

Anton Bykov paced the Kazakh side with 13 points and 5 boards.

The 26-year-old Clarkson is expected to suit up in the Philippines’ next game versus China on Tuesday, August 21 at 4 pm (5 pm in Manila). 

Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the next round. 

Pringle put a quick exclamation point on the game with a long bomb to close out the first half and give the Philippines a  21-point lead, 41-20.

Despite playing without Clarkson, Guiao’s wards put an early clamp on the game highlighted by a 21-8 run in the 2nd quarter.

Veteran sniper Paul Lee buried the Kazakhs further down midway through the 4th with three straight triples, 81-52. 

Asi Taulava made it a 30-point lead, 84-54, with a free throw off the and-one layup at the 4:04 mark.

The Scores

Philippines 96 – Pringle 18, Standhardinger 15, Yap 12, Lee 10, Tiu 9, Norwood 7, Almazan 6, Erram 5, Belga 5, Taulava 5, Ahanmisi 4.

Kazakhstan 59 – Bykov 13, Gavrilov 9, Yergali 8, Zhigulin 7, Kuanov 6, Bazhin 6, Chsherbak 6, Maidekin 2, Marchuk 2, Yagodkin 0, Murzagaliyev 0, Satkeyev 0.

Quarters: 16-9, 41-20, 61-43, 96-59.

– Rappler.com