MANILA, Philippines – Unknown to many, the Philippine-China basketball clash in the 2018 Asian Games won’t be the first time for Jordan Clarkson and Christian Standhardinger to share the floor.

The two national team stalwarts had already faced each other when Clarkson’s Missouri Tigers and Standhardinger’s Hawaii Rainbow Warriors locked horns in the US NCAA on November 16, 2013. 

In that game, then-senior Standhardinger dropped a team-high 22 points to go with 5 rebounds while then-junior Clarkson delivered 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. 

While the Filipino-German had a better game statistically, the Filipino-American had the last laugh with Missouri pulling off a 92-80 triumph. 

Since then, the two had gone on different paths. 

Clarkson was drafted 46th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and was named to the All-Rookie First Team.

He played four years for the Lakers before he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With LeBron James leading the Cavs, Clarkson played in his first NBA Finals but saw his team swept by the Golden State Warriors last season.

Standhardinger, meanwhile, played in Germany’s ProA for three years after going unpicked in the same draft class with Clarkson. He established himself as one of the league’s best with a Most Valuable Player award in 2016.

He then suited up for Hong Kong Eastern in the ASEAN Basketball League and was eventually picked No. 1 overall by the San Miguel Beermen in the 2017 PBA Draft. 

Missing the Philippine Cup due to his commitment with Hong Kong, Standhardinger debuted in the Commissioner’s Cup and helped the Beermen reach the finals, where they were toppled by Barangay Ginebra in 6 games. 

With the two joining forces, the Philippines has fortified its chances of beating powerhouse China on Tuesday, August 21 as it shoots for its second straight win. (READ: Drama aside, Jordan Clarkson sees a solid Gilas group) – Rappler.com