FILIPINO American NBA guard Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks gave shout-outs to fellow Filipino sports stars Kai Sotto and Alexandra “Alex” Eala on his Instagram stories on Saturday.
Clarkson recognized Sotto, his 2023 FIBA World Cup Gilas teammate, for his strong performance at the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
“Kai Sotto cook up! my guy,” wrote Clarkson, reposting a FIBA graphic of Sotto at the center of Gilas’ 82-81 win against Jordan at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
Sotto posted 18 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks including the win-preserving one against Abdullah Olajuwon.
Meanwhile, Clarkson, the first Filipino NBA player with Filipino heritage to win an NBA title, posted a photo of him and Eala, telling the Filipina rising tennis star: “Keep being special twin, goodluck! kill it!”
Eala reposted Clarkson’s story, saying: “coming from you, the best.”
In a US Open video, Clarkson and Eala met, and had a discussion about representing the Philippines on the international stage.
“I wear my culture on my sleeve. I’m sure you can understand and it brings so many people together. It’s crazy that I’m meeting you,” said Eala to Clarkson.
“And how people can connect through culture and just nostalgia. I think it’s a really powerful thing.”
Eala seized her first WTA Tour-level title at the Mubadala D.C. Open earlier this month, while Clarkson became the first NBA player with Filipino heritage to win an NBA championship last June with the Knicks.
Like Eala, Clarkson also represented the Philippines in a slew of international tournaments spanning from the 2018 Asian Games to the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila.
“You know when you got Filipino blood, you take the whole country with you, the whole pride and we’re everywhere,” said Clarkson to Eala.
The 21-year-old netter responded:
“I don’t think any other nationality does it the same. I cross a Filipino on the street, and I would know it like that (snaps finger). And I would know if it was you definitely.”
