Clarkson ended up with a big game scoring 27 points, six rebounds, and two assists, six steals, almost carrying the team to victory, in the ongoing FIBA World Cup.

Leading with an 85-81 win, Lebanon MVP Wael Arakji spoiled Jordan Clarkson with a clutch series in the final minute, channeling a three-pointer to put the game out of the Philippines’ grasp. 

The NBA player saw his sizzling FIBA debut go down when Lebanon showed their superiority in the game.

Arakji finished with 24 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists, capping his major performance with a personal 7-0 run in the final minute’s Lebanon protected its home turf at Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex.

Japeth Aguilar knotted the score at 78-78 before Arakji scored seven unanswered points highlighted by a clutch three-pointer.

Kai Sotto swiped away an Ali Haidar shot with the Philippines trailing 78-80, but Arakji picked up the offensive rebound and shattered the crucial trey to beat the shot clock with 16.3 ticks left.

Dwight Ramos then aided Clarkson in the loss with numbers of 18-points, 10 rebounds and 6 steals, while Sotto chipped in up to 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

The Filipinos though, defended to keep in step with the tough Lebanese squad, which recently won silver in the Asia Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas went on a hot 9-2 start and even led by as high as 10 yet ended the game with 21 turnovers, which Lebanon leveraged for 22 points.

Coach Chot Reyes then admitted many turnovers were the huge difference for that game which made his squad fall to 2-3 in Group E.

Aguilar tallied 11 points and six rebounds, while Chris Newsome and Jamie Malonzo added 3 points apiece in their respective Gilas Pilipinas appearance.

On the Lebanon side, Amir Saoud fired 17 points on top of four rebounds and two steals for the Cedars, which improved to 4-1.

Ali Haidar chimed in with 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the win.

The Scores

Lebanon 85 – Arakji 24, Saoud 17, Haidar 10, Gyokchyan 9, Zeinoun 7, Arledge 6, Chamoun 3, Ezzedine 3, Mansour 3, Mezher 3.

Philippines 81 – Clarkson 27, Ramos 18, Aguilar 11, Sotto 10, Thompson 4,  Newsome 3,  Malonzo 3, K. Ravena 3, T. Ravena 2, Parks 0, Tamayo 0, Oftana 0.

Quarters: 22-25, 49-47, 68-63, 85-81.