Baldwin keen on Clarkson Fiba eligibility

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin hoped the Fiba could rule as soon as possible on the playing status of Jordan Clarkson so the Fil-Am NBA player could join the Nationals in training and be a regular member of the national team if he’s indeed eligible.

“To have a player of his caliber is a great thing but the timing of when it comes in, it’s another disruption on the other side. So the sooner for me, the better, if he’s gonna be part of the program and indoctrinate him into what we’re trying to do,” Baldwin told News5.

“He sounds really keen to be there so it could be an exciting development for all of us but I don’t want to  get my hopes up too much right now,” Baldwin also said.

“I haven’t even had this conversation with the management (the SBP). They made me aware sometime ago that there were possibilities, but I think it’s a work in progress for them and I don’t think they’re gonna alert me or worry me with that until it becomes an actual development,” he added.

While still clearing things with the international basketball federation, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios is telling the national coach to “play with the cards on the table.”

Clarkson, an incoming sophomore guard of the LA Lakers in the NBA, is included the 24-player lineup submitted by the SBP for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China next month.

Still uncertain, however, is whether Clarkson is eligible as a regular member of the team or classified as a naturalized player under the new FIBA rules.

Baldwin said he’s anxious to know.

Any national team is allowed only one naturalized player in FIBA competitions. Gilas has one in Andray Blatche plus a reserve in Moala Tautuaa.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed (he’s declared as a legitimate regular player),” said Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, looking forward to meet Clarkson in practice today.

Flying back to Manila from Estonia early Monday night, the training pool resumes workout with a morning session and an evening session at the Meralco gym today.

Clarkson, a son of an American father and a Filipino mother from Angeles, Pampanga, will come to immerse with the pool and observe what they do. He’s also set to be in the sideline in the Jones Cup competition.

Meanwhile, the Gilas team manager expressed satisfaction on things they achieved on their Estonian trip.

“It’s the first time these players went out together. Building bond has begun. It’s not just about basketball but being together as brothers, as family,” said Antonio.

“If you ask the coaches, they will say we still have a lot of things to do. This is a young team in terms of preparation, but as coach Tab is saying ‘we’ll win some, we’ll lose some’ but the goal is to be ready (for FIBA Asia),” Antonio also said.

“It’s a process. One can’t turn a group of individuals into overnight sensation. It doesn’t happen. If it happens, very rare. You has to harness and develop to play together,” added Antonio, noting progress achieved in Estonia.