Who impressed you the most?
Flex those fingers! It's time to vote!
It's was a successful 2023 for FIBA Asia, having held the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.
So FIBA Asia decided to celebrate the best players in the continent and let fans cast votes for the Player of the Year this year, bracket style.
One of the eight contenders is Gilas Pilipinas guard Jordan Clarkson, who memorably erupted for five consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter against China in the FIBA World Cup. It was part of his 34-point output, which secured a victory for the Philippines in the last day of the tournament.
Here, allow us to send you back to memory lane.
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He's up in the quarterfinals of the fan vote against Japan star Yuta Watanabe, who helped the Akatsuki Five book a return trip to the Olympics.
Also in the running is a player very familiar to Filipinos, TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
RHJ played as a naturalized player for Jordan and sparked international interest with his Kobe Bryant-like performances in the FIBA World Cup.
His opponent in the bracket is 2022 FIBA Asia Cup MVP Wael Arakji of Lebanon, who is also very familiar to Filipinos, having torched Gilas Pilipinas in the past.
The four other players in the bracket are China's Zhou Qi, Japan's Yuki Kawamura, Lebanon's Sergio El Darwich, and Mustafa Rashed of Bahrain.
The ultimate winner of the fan vote will be decided on January 1, 2024.
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It's not an official award but it's still pretty dope to be recognized by the fans.
(PM)