FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

On the day the nationals were taking on visiting Jordan, our coverage piece could not promptly meet the printing deadline. So, here’s hoping Gilas experiences a deja vu - a successful repeat performance of Friday’s tussle versus Lebanon. Choose your own adjective(s) to describe Gilas’ win over Lebanon last Friday.

Any will fit.

Heroic. Excellent. Impressive. Gallant. Courageous. Bold. True enough, Justin Brownlee proved he is the “right man” for the job.

No Kai Sotto. No Japhet Aguilar. No Ange Kouame. And no Jordan Clarkson. Okay lang.

Because of the numbers Brownlee submitted in his first outing with Gilas, would the coaching staff even consider maintaining JB for the FIBA World’s August schedule and face the risks without a tested warrior like JC?

Maybe or maybe not.

But much as every Pinoy fanatic witnessed JB’s solid play, would this be enough to convince Chot Reyes, Tim Cone and the SBP to maintain him as Gilas’ naturalized player?

Well, the encounter against Jordan will say more about JB.

But the score in the 107-96 conquest of the Cedars did not tell the whole story.

There was more to be euphoric about the convincing tri- umph. points and 11 rebounds for Dallas, but didn’t take over in the fourth quarter the way he did in his first victory with Doncic since the trade from Brooklyn — over lowly San Antonio.

“We have to grow up if we want to win a championship,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “What the Lakers just showed us is it’s not the rabbit that wins; it’s the turtle. And they worked the game. And that’s what we have to get better at.”

Davis and James were the fourth-quarter standouts as trade acquisition

D’Angelo Russell sat out after spraining his ankle in a victory over defending champion Golden State in the previous game.

The Lakers had what looked like an ankle scare with James as the rally was gaining steam in the third quarter, with the recently crowned all-time scoring leader staying down for several minutes holding his lower right leg. He stayed in the game.

“It’s been better,” said James, who limped through the tunnel after the game. “But I definitely wasn’t going to locker room and not finish the game. The importance of this game and then the momentum that we had, I felt like we could steal one after being down.”

After the injury, James hit a tying 3-pointer to start the fourth, then another bucket for LA’s first lead since the middle of the first quarter.

After Davis’ rebound and dunk for a 104-103 lead with 2:00 remaining, James scored for a threepoint edge.

The razzle dazzle that all but highlighted every Gilas’ player’s on-court savvy was what Pinoy basketball fanatics were expecting to happen.

This is positive thinking.

JB led the way with his allaround performance in defense and offense.

I’d like to assume that he inspired everyone. The crowd at the Philippine arena roared like thunder everytime JB scored

Again, I pop this question: Would there still be a need to summon Jordan Clarkson?

This is (quite) debatable and argumentative.

Because we know what Clarkson - adjudged NBA’s Sixth Man some seasons ago - can do because of his very impressive numbers in the world’s best professional cage league.

What is going for JB is that - like the palm of his hand - he particularly knows how to communicate with Pinoy cagers and develop chemistry and coherence. His athletic skills may not pass the stringent NBA yardstick but as far as teamwork is concerned - which is what basketball is all about - JB helps elevate his teammates’ morale and confidence, the two integral ingredients in winning or losing.

Against tough, taller and heftier opposition, JB’s skills were not found wanting even if he had not seen action in the world’s number one basketball league much like Clarkson.

Well, the truth of the pudding is in its eating.

What strongly goes for JC are his being a (50%) Pinoy and his stellar NBA credentials which JB - regretfully - does not possess.

If the Gilas coaching staff bases the selection on the above-cited rationale, then you guys can figure out who it is.

JB will see action in the SEA Games in Cambodia this May which will measure anew his competitive skills to the fore.

Not to preempt the Gilas coaches’ choice, but mine would still be JC. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD