MANILA – Hoping against hope, Gilas Pilipinas included Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson in its 19-man training pool for the 2019 FIBA World Cup slated next month in China.
Gilas head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao admitted that having the Filipino-American guard as local player in the competition is a walk in a park but he is not discounting for a miracle.
“We’re still hoping that a miracle happens,” Guiao said. “But at the same time, it’s also a back-up plan, knock on wood, and I hope nothing happens and no harm comes to Andray (Blatche). But at least we have options on the naturalized players.”
He added: “We’re still not giving up on the effort to play him as a local. But kung hindi naman, back-up siya ni Andray as naturalized (player). Pero hindi natin alam. Baka may milagro. Milagro na nga lang.”
Aside from Clarkson and Blatche, two other naturalized players were included in the training pool in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings guard Stanley Pringle and San Miguel Beermen forward Christian Standhardinger.
Also named in the pool were Gilas returnees Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, John Paul Erram, June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Roger Pogoy, and Matthew Wright.
Completing the roster were PBA rookies Robert Bolick and Jaymar Perez as well as former national team players Beau Belga and Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena, who will be eligible to play for the squad after his 18-month long FIBA suspension.
Gilas Pilipinas reached its second consecutive FIBA World Cup appearance after finishing as the best fourth placer during the year-long Asian qualifier last Febriary./PN
