Clarkson to reinforce Gilas
JAKARTA – In the wake of Gilas’ ninth place finish at the FIBAAsia Cup here comes a breath of good news. Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson will suit up for the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup next year and is likely to join the national squad in the fourth qualifying window against Lebanon in Beirut on Aug. 25 and Saudi Arabia at the MOA Arena on Aug. 29.
SBP president Al Panlilio said yesterday he has been advised by Gilas team manager/SBP deputy executive director Butch Antonio that Clarkson is a go for the World Cup and possibly the coming window which falls during the NBA offseason. The word is Clarkson is setting aside 10 days to play in the fourth window and six weeks for the World Cup.
“We’re excited to bring back Jordan,” said Panlilio, PLDT/Smart president and CEO. “We’re also hoping to enlist Kai Sotto, our Smart brand ambassador, for the fourth window to join Jordan. It will be a boost for Filipino fans as the game against Saudi on Aug. 29 will be at MOA Arena, two days after we begin the one-year countdown for the World Cup.”
Clarkson, 30, is recognized as a naturalized player by FIBA. A national team may list only one naturalized player under FIBA rules. He isn’t eligible to play as a local because of the immersion clause despite his Filipino heritage. FIBA may agree to an exception for a foreign-born player to be classified a local if he or she has stayed in the country for a relatively long period and contributed to the development of the game domestically even without lineage. Greg Slaughter, for instance, was born in the US but attended school in Cebu and Manila, has lived in the Philippines nearly his entire life, resides in Manila and played in several PBA seasons so that he is recognized a local by FIBA.
Clarkson made his Gilas debut at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, leading the Philippines to fifth place, its best finish in 16 years. He scored 22 points to lift Gilas over Japan, 113-80 and 29 in a 109-55 rout of Syria. Gilas coach Chot Reyes said with Clarkson on the floor, the national team is guaranteed 20 to 30 points a game. “He’ll make everyone better, play with more confidence,” said Reyes. “Jordan will gravitate the defense towards him and find open teammates.” With Sotto at center, Gilas will unveil a rim protector, intimidator and an interior presence to complement Clarkson.