A PLAYER of Filipino heritage is assured of winning a championship this season as the San Antonio Spurs square off with the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines).
The matchup carries added significance for Filipino basketball fans as it pits Spurs rookie Dylan Harper against Knicks veteran Jordan Clarkson, both of whom have Filipino roots.
Clarkson, a former member of Gilas Pilipinas program, is making his second NBA Finals appearance. The Filipino-American guard first reached the championship round in 2018 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside LeBron James.
While he has not won a Larry O’Brien trophy yet, Clarkson already captured an NBA Cup crown earlier this season after the Knicks defeated the Spurs in a one-game titular showdown.
“Another amazing thing that’s happening right now, definitely inspiring to the Filipino-Americans and Filipinos all around the country, so it’s definitely going to be fun to watch,” Clarkson said in a pre-finals media availability.
Harper, meanwhile, has enjoyed a breakthrough rookie campaign. The second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft played a key role in San Antonio’s NBA Western Conference Finals triumph.
Asked about the prospect of facing fellow Filipino-American Clarkson in the Finals, Harper said his focus remains on the series ahead.
“I think my focus is on these next games, this next series. But obviously it’s a blessing to represent the Philippines and know where I’m from. So I mean I think me and Jordan Clarkson do a great job of doing that, but I mean my biggest thing is just focusing on what’s in front of me,” he said.
The Spurs booked the final berth in the championship series after dethroning Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals./PN
