MANILA – The Philippines will be well represented in the NBA Finals featuring the San Antonio Spurs, who have fast-rising rookie Dylan Harper, and the New York Knicks, with former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson.
Harper’s mother, Maria, was born and raised in Bataan before moving to the United States when she was seven years old. Clarkson’s mother, Annette Davis, also has Filipino roots and was born in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Harper and the Spurs booked a title date with the Knicks, who swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, after dethroning the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road in Game 7 on May 30.
“It’s a blessing to represent the Philippines, where I’m from. I think Jordan Clarkson and I are doing a great job doing that, but I think the biggest thing is what’s in front of me,” said Harper during the post-game press conference following the Spurs’ 111-103 victory.
The 33-year-old Clarkson, who has represented the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup and Asian Games, is making his second NBA Finals appearance since 2018 as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
San Antonio are back in the championship round for the first time since winning it all in 2014 with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard as their core.
The NBA Finals tips off on June 3 in San Antonio.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander repeated as NBA Most Valuable Player and is the consensus best player in the sport with only three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets able to make a reasonable case.
But the Oklahoma City star described the 2025-26 season as a failure on May 31, one day after the Thunder lost to the Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals to end their chance at winning consecutive NBA titles.
That means Gilgeous-Alexander begins his off-season earlier than expected.
“I failed at my goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander said during his exit-day press conference.
“I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve. But I learn the most about myself and make the greatest amount of increases in my career when I fail and don’t get what I want. I look at this no different.
“I didn’t get where I wanted to go this season. There’s a reason for that. Now I have to look at that reason and try to make sure it never happens again.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 25.9 points in the series, including three games of 30 or more, but shot just 40.9 per cent from the field, well off his stellar 55.3 rate in the regular season. He averaged 31.1 points during the regular season. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, REUTERS
