Filipino American and NBA history will be made in a basketball game, Oct. 28 Jazz vs. Rockets

When the NBA's Houston Rockets host the Utah Jaz on Oct. 28, expect a lot of Filipino Americans to be sitting in the Toyota Center.

Besides being Filipino Heritage Night, it will be the first time in the history of the sport that two players of Filipino descent play against each other, as the Rockets talented rookie Jalen Green takes on Jazz's outstanding sixth man Jordan Clarkson.

October 28 is the first time the Texas team has held a Filipino Heritage Night. Fans can avail a hat and a special post-game Q&A with Jalen Green. In addition to that, all fans in attendance will be given a special Jalen Green shirt.

The 6'-5" Green, who opted to forego a college scholarship to play in the NBA's G-league, was selected by the Rockets as the second overall pick in this year's NBA draft.

The Rockets aren’t the first to host a Filipino Heritage Night in the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets did a similar event in 2016 when Clarkson visited as a member of the L.A. Lakers visited, in honor of the huge Filipino community in New York and New Jersey. 

The Golden State Warriors , with a fan base drawing from the large Filipino American community in the San Francisco Bay area, has been holding a Filipino Heritage Night annually for years. 

However, the Jazz-Rocket game in Houson will be a bit more special with the meeting of Clarkson and Green.

Green, the Rockets prized rookie guard, is born to a Filipina mother, and has played in the Philippines multiple times, albeit only in exhibition games. Jordan Clarkson's mother is also from the Philippines. 

Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games.

Both players may have a chance to be teammates representing the Philippines in FIBA-sanctioned events in the future.

Clarkson has already represented the Philippines in international play, suiting up for them during the 2018 Asian Games and Green has also expressed an interest in doing the same. 

“I love the Philippines. They show me love and support and I’m just happy to represent them," said Green. "I have family out there”.

Jordan Clarkson helps rescue vandalized Filipino American food truck

 

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The Yum Yum Food Truck is sporting a new paint job, top. Below, the Filipino American food truck before it was vandalized.

When Salt Lake City celebrates Philippine Independence Day this Saturday, June 12, expect long lines at the Yum Yum Food Truck with its newly painted design in the form of the Philippine flag.

The food truck that serves Asian fusion and Filipino cuisine, was targeted over the weekend by vandals who painted anti-Asian slurs and derogatory images on the truck.

The truck's new eye-catching design is courtesy of Utah Jazz Jordan Clarkson who caught wind of what happened to the Yum Yum truck and paid for new wrap around the truck. Clarkson, who is Filipino American, was named Sixth Man of the Year for the NBA for his scoring prowess coming off the bench for the No. 1 ranked Jazz.

Clarkson wrote on social media: "It hurt me deeply to see that Salt Lake's @yumyumasian food truck was recently vandalized – I know the pain that hateful language and racism causes. With help from @identitygraphix we'll be able to restore the truck and hopefully lift Ben and his family's spirit!! #StopAsianHate."The owners of the truck thanked those involved in a Facebook post:

"It has been an emotional few days. The love and support that we got from all of you has been deeply heartfelt. My family can't thank you guys enough. Special thanks to Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson and Dan from Identity graphics for the new look. We want to thank everyone individually in a couple weeks when we have our LOVE celebration in the park and feed the community. Thanks to Mayor Joy Petro, Councilman Clint Morris, Councilman Zach Bloxham, Dustin, everyone in the neighborhood and all of you angels. Love prevails. We are going to have our grand reopening this Saturday at the Philippine independence day celebration in slc."

Clarkson's good deed was appreciated. "Man, that guy's a hero. This tragedy is a blessing, I would say. Just people coming together. I've never seen anything like it," said Ben Pierce, one of the truck's owners.

“We are not going to have hatred stop us from sharing our culture," the owners posted.

"I really can't describe how much this means to us right now," the truck's owner wrote on Instagram. "I am overwhelmed that in the midst of playoffs #jordanclarkson took time to support our food truck and is having the wrap done on our truck.

The Jazz are playing the L.A. Clippers in the NBA's Western semi-finals and lead the best-of-seven series, 1-0.

When the two teams play again Thursday, June 10, the Pierces will be in the stands rooting for their team after the Jazz gave tickets to the family.

On Wednesday, Layton Police announced they are still looking for those responsible for the vandalism and offered a $500 reward for information that leads to their arrest.

Layton Mayor Joy Petro told KSL Newsradio that she had visited the owners and was "sorry it happened to them."

“And certainly this is not how I see nor portray our city,” she said.