A Unique Fandom: Paolo del Rosario
In a sea of Los Angeles Lakers fans in the Philippines, Paolo del Rosario stands out. Over twenty years ago, when he was just a young boy, he was already a devoted supporter of the Utah Jazz. He admired the dynamic duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone but detested the Lakers team favored by his family.
Even as a child, del Rosario’s love for basketball set him apart. While most Filipino basketball enthusiasts rallied behind popular teams like the Lakers, del Rosario remained steadfast in his support for the Jazz.
Now 30 years old, del Rosario works as a sports program broadcaster in Manila, still quietly rooting for the Jazz. However, last season, he suddenly discovered that he was no longer alone. With Jordan Clarkson traded to the Jazz from the Cleveland Cavaliers, del Rosario began receiving messages from friends saying, “Hey, you’re not the only Jazz fan in the Philippines anymore! Ready for the change?”
Clarkson: A Game Changer
Despite the Jazz’s impressive performance this season, the team’s popularity still lags behind that of star-studded franchises. However, this narrative is beginning to change. In a basketball-crazed country like the Philippines, 28-year-old Clarkson has become a household name, boosting the Jazz’s popularity. Social media platforms are flooded with highlights of Clarkson’s games, further amplifying his influence.
Nikko Ramos, the editor-in-chief of Slam Philippines, describes Clarkson’s popularity, saying, “Let me put it this way, if he doesn’t win Sixth Man of the Year this season, the NBA might not survive the wrath of Filipinos.” With the time difference, Filipinos tune in to NBA games in the morning, enjoying traditional breakfast foods while watching Clarkson’s stellar performances, kicking off their day on a high note.
“NBA League Pass is your best friend here,” Ramos remarks. According to NBA League Pass data, Filipino viewership of Jazz games has increased by 45%, and posts about Clarkson on NBA fan pages receive three to four times more engagement than other posts. For instance, a highlight clip of Clarkson’s performance against the Clippers at the end of last year garnered over 1.2 million views.
A Deep Connection: Clarkson and Gabe Norwood
For Gabe Norwood’s three sons, watching Clarkson’s highlights is a daily ritual. However, their connection with the NBA scoring guard runs deeper than that of the average fan; their father and Clarkson were once teammates on the Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas.
Norwood, who has half-Filipino heritage through his mother, has been a stalwart of Philippine basketball, both at the national and professional levels. Raised in San Antonio, he has always valued his Filipino roots, instilled in him through his grandmother’s stories of their homeland in Pampanga province and traditional Filipino dishes she prepared for the family.
Norwood, who played college basketball at George Mason University, was approached by Filipino coaches during his NCAA days, leading to his eventual inclusion in cc6 the Philippine national team and a career in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Norwood: A Basketball Ambassador
For over a decade, Norwood has not only been a mainstay of the national team but also a leader in promoting basketball in the Philippines. When Clarkson’s potential inclusion in the Philippine national team arose, Norwood played a pivotal role.
Norwood first heard about Clarkson from friends when Clarkson was still in college at the University of Missouri. When Clarkson declared for the NBA draft in 2014, Norwood reached out to him, even gifting him a pair of Nike Kobe sneakers designed with Filipino motifs. Clarkson wore these shoes to his pre-draft workouts. Reflecting on this gesture, Norwood says, “I just wanted him to know that there were people willing to support him and lend a hand.”
Clarkson’s Rising Star
Initially unknown in the Philippines, Clarkson’s visibility skyrocketed with his tenure with the Lakers and the endorsement of Kobe Bryant. His rapid rise to NBA stardom, coupled with his visit to Manila for NBA Cares activities, drew massive crowds wherever he went.
During one charity event, Ramos recalls taking Clarkson and fellow player Trey Burke around town. On one evening, they ventured into a cc6 trendy club, where Clarkson, accustomed to attention as a Lakers player living in Los Angeles, remained unfazed despite the commotion his presence caused.
Clarkson fondly remembers the warmth he experienced in the Philippines, stating, “I’ll always remember the cc6 warmth that the Philippines showed me. I never thought anyone would know I was Filipino.”
Conclusion
In a basketball-crazed nation like the Philippines, Jordan Clarkson’s emergence as an NBA star has not only elevated the Utah Jazz’s popularity but also strengthened the bond between Filipino fans and their heritage. Through Clarkson and Gabe Norwood’s shared journey, basketball has become more than just a sport—it’s a bridge that connects the Filipino diaspora to their roots. As Clarkson continues to shine on the NBA stage, his impact resonates far beyond the hardwood, leaving an indelible mark on Filipino cc6 basketball culture.
