Clarkson 'disappointed' for being unable to reinforce Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – The Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Clarkson may not be donning the Philippine tricolor in the upcoming FIBA Asia tournament, but he assures that he will be cheering on  the Gilas Pilipinas in their quest for a spot in the Rio Olympics.

 

A day after the official lineup of the Philippine national basketball team was announced, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) released through its Facebook account a statement  from the Filipino-American cager.

 

"I told him of my experiences with the team and how passionate I was about representing an entire country," the statement read. "My Dad told me to follow my heart.”

 

“I’m very disappointed I won’t be able to play with the Gilas National Team during the FIBA Asia Championships from September 23 to October 3,” it added.

 

The 23-year-old guard became a hot topic late August when the national basketball team hinted on the possibility of the NBA player suiting for the country. 

 

The news came as a sign of relief for many followers and spectators after the old members of the national team were unavailable to reprise their roles this year.

 

LOOK: Jordan Clarkson PH passport

 

An earlier report by The STAR's Nelson Beltran said that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas failed to include Fil-Am NBA player Jordan Clarkson in the lineup due to the conflict of the FIBA Asia schedule to important activities of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“The Los Angeles Lakers management has allowed Jordan Clarkson to play for the Gilas Pilipinas team as long as it will not conflict with the schedule of the NBA,” said an SBP statement.

“Unfortunately, under this limitation, Jordan Clarkson can only participate in the elimination phase of the tournament,” the SBP added. “This scheduling issue is distinct only to the FIBA Asia zone. And it does not occur in the other FIBA zones. By this token, we will ask FIBA Asia to consider holding the tournament in the same manner as FIBA Americas, Europe, Oceania and Africa do, that is avoiding conflict with the NBA calendar.”

Clarkson also suggested the 12 names selected for to represent the country "have earned the right" to do so. 

 

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