Jordan Clarkson not liking shower of boos at Chot Reyes in Gilas-Saudi game: 'It's kinda BS'

Jordan Clarkson defended Chot Reyes amid the boos he got during the Gilas-Saudi Arabia game. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—A crowd of 19,829 people showed its might at the Mall of Asia Arena to cheer for Gilas Pilipinas in its FIBA World Cup Qualifiers home game against Saudi Arabia on Monday night.

The fans wowed at Jordan Clarkson's fantastic three-point shooting, highlighted by a buzzer-beater from near halfcourt to end the first quarter, the power dunks from Kai Sotto, and even Dwight Ramos' posterizer in the second quarter.

They even gave President Bongbong Marcos a huge pop when he arrived late in the third quarter of the match—when Gilas' blowout win had already been settled.

[Related Story: Gilas bounces back after sluggish Q1 to pummel Saudi Arabia]

However, at least a good bunch of the crowd did not do the same for Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

The fans already showered boos on Reyes during the team introduction 10 minutes before tip-off, and every time Reyes was featured on the jumbotron, more jeers could be heard.

After the game, during a public address, Jordan Clarkson expressed his disappointment with how the fans treated Reyes.

"Support us, support our team, support our coaching staff, everybody. We’re building something special, so let’s get it," Clarkson said.

Upon meeting the media moments later, Clarkson had another clap-back at fans based on how his bond with Reyes and the rest of the Gilas lineup during the fourth window went.

"I'm not here a lot throughout the year, so I don't really know what's going on, but from what I've seen in these last days, it's kinda b***s***," Clarkson said.

He then stressed that Reyes is still part of the team and commended him for his efforts to lead the way despite the heel heat he is getting.

"He's our coach. He's one of us. He works hard. He puts all of us together," Clarkson further said.

He then reiterated that fans should support Reyes' vision for Gilas with less than a year left before the Philippines hosts the FIBA World Cup along with Japan and Indonesia.

"I think we all just support him and what he got going on 'coz in this next World Cup, whatever he got, we all gotta have each other's back and support each other going through this," Clarkson said. "I'm here for my coach. I know everybody in the locker room is from up top, MVP (SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan)."

He added, "Moving forward, I think we need to change our actions and show love."

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno