For the second time in NBA history, two players of Filipino descent went head to head when Jordan Clarkson and the Utah Jazz hosted Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets on Thursday (PHT).
The Jazz honored the motherland with their own Filipino Night at the Vivint Arena, and the organization definitely did not disappoint. Utah made sure that the Filipino spirit—and language—was felt throughout the day on the court and even online.
Basketball fans in the Philippines woke up to an awesome social media post on the Jazz’s social media account containing several Clarkson highlights, which were narrated by Cignal TV sportscasters Paolo Del Rosario and Richard Del Rosario. The two brought the energy and excitement that definitely gave Clarkson’s moves a distinct flavor, including one “bastos” jam and a gorgeous side-stepping “cha cha cha” move. It was the perfect way to get the ball rolling.
🇵🇭 𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙊𝙔 𝙋𝙍𝙄𝘿𝙀 🇵🇭
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 19, 2022
Ahead of Filipino night at Vivint Arena, check out these @jordanclarksons highlights called by Paolo del Rosario and Richard del Rosario. pic.twitter.com/iwJkXbneLP
In a pre-game interview, Clarkson talked about the passion Filipinos have for basketball.
“In the Philippines, basketball - they love it. When I was there, I remember I was at (The Tenement court in Taguig City) and the tenants were playing basketball. I remember a kid took his flip-flops off and was in bare feet when he was playing 1-on-1 with me,” he said.
“So the love for the game is there, and it brings people, it brings everyone around the world together. And I think the impact of the game is so global now, and hopefully, it takes over like soccer.”
Inside the arena, it was more of the same as several Pinoy Jazz fans brought signs and posters to support their kababayan. During shootaround, Clarkson happily obliged the fans. He joined them for a few photos, signed shirts, and chatted with them.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has embraced the Filipino community in Utah, which was evident last season when he helped a Filipino food truck that was vandalized. So in return, Pinoys in the area always make sure to honor Clarkson and show him love at the games.
Pamayanan 🇵🇭🤍#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/yL8DhuAEij
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 20, 2022
Aside from Clarkson, several talented Filipinos also made themselves available to help the celebration come to life. Erwin Hines, a graphic artist based in San Diego, designed the Jazz’s Filipino Night shirt that has the Tagalog word pamayanan (meaning community). The shirt was made available in stores and for certain ticket-holders.
Singer Joseph Buenaflor, meanwhile, sang the national anthems of both the Philippines and the U.S. at the start of the game, while the Grace Shoptaugh and Gracie Lou Cultural Dance Group entertained the crowd with traditional Filipino performances during breaks.
The Jazz fell to the Rockets in their rematch, 116-111, but Clarkson had a solid game with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Rockets rookie Green, on the other hand, struggled with seven points on 3-of-13 shooting.
The home team lost but it surely did not dampen the wonderful day it was. Seeing Clarkson and Green approach each other pre-game was just a reminder of how truly global the game has become. It has been and will always be a privilege for all of us to witness two NBA players embracing our own three stars and a sun.
