MANILA – Getting Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games is easier said than done.
Clarkson, a 6-foot-5 Filipino-American guard, was included in the roster of Philippine players for the quadrennial event from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in Indonesia.
“This is just a shotgun approach since there is no harm in trying,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios.
“There are two factors: Availability and eligibility. Will he (Clarkson) be available? Will his NBA team give him clearance to play?” Barrios said.
“And will he be allowed by INASGOC and the Olympic Council of Asia? Remember the eligibility rules ng Asiad is different from FIBA,” he added. “These are the things we have to consider.”
Clarkson is eligible to play for Gilas as a naturalized player. He has been carrying a Philippine passport since he was 12 years old.
But Barrios said they are already negotiating with the Cavaliers management for the availability of Clarkson.
If Clarkson gets a nod from the Cavaliers and the Asian Games organizers, he will join the Philippine squad that comprises core players from the PBA’s Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Former national team head coach Yeng Guiao is set to call the shots for the Philippine team after getting clearance from NLEX Road Warriors. Painters mentor Carlos Garcia will serve as his assistant.
Earlier the SBP earlier submitted an initial list including the core of TNT KaTropa but the team backed out, citing player injuries and the recent brawl between Gilas and Australia Boomers in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers./PN
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