MANILA – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) plans to do everything to have Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson available for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup slated from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15 in China.
SBP president Al Panlilio said in an interview with Agence France-Presse that they will once again try to convince FIBA to allow the Filipino-American Clarkson to play as a Filipino citizen.
“We have been trying to convince or discuss the matter with FIBA,” Panlilio said. “Everyone is working on the matter and we will do everything we can to make it happen.”
He added: “Based on our constitution, he is Filipino. He has a passport. But he got it after he was 16 years old.”
Clarkson, in an Instagram post, also showed interest to suit up for the national men’s basketball team in the FIBA World Cup, which he said will be a dream come true for him.
“Congrats to my bros and the country such a honor for the country, qualifying for the world cup, so hyped!!! hope to see you guys in China!!!” said Clarkson, currently the leading scorer of the slumping Cavaliers in NBA.
Clarkson first represented the Philippines during the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia but the World Cup operates under FIBA rules which could classify him as “naturalized” player after obtaining his Filipino passport after the age of 16.
FIBA also restricts each team to one “naturalized” player, meaning Gilas head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao will have to choose between Clarkson and naturalized center Andray Blatche for the FIBA World Cup.
Gilas Pilipinas reached its second consecutive FIBA World Cup appearance after finishing as the best fourth placer during the year-long Asian qualifier, that concluded last Sunday.
“It’s been a journey and it’s been quite difficult because you know we had a major issue with the Australian incident, the brawl,” Panlilio said. “The stars really had to align for us…We are very happy and proud to be back in the World Cup.”/PN
