Gilas eyes Clarkson-Blatche pair for FIBA World Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas is now looking forward to the World Cup in China in September, hoping Jordan Clarkson can come on board and team up with Andray Blatche to lead Team Philippines to a decent showing.

“It’s interesting. The SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) will be working on that,” said coach Yeng Guiao on the possibility of a Clarkson-Blatche partnership in the team.

And this early, Guiao has expressed his desire to bring Gilas to the 2019 Jones Cup, making it as their warm-up tournament for the World Cup set in eight major cities in China from August 31 to September 15.

“We’ve made the World Cup. The next problem is performing in the World Cup,” said Guiao.

The Philippines made the world joust along with seven other Asia/Pacific campaigners in China, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Iran and Jordan.

Others making the 32-team cast are Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Nigeria, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the US and Venezuela.

After 15 months of qualifying campaign, world No. 7 Slovenia, No. 9 Croatia, No. 14 Mexico, No. 15 Latvia and No. 19 Ukraine are the heavyweights that failed to make it.

Drawing of lots is March 16 in Shezhen, one of the competition’s eight host cities.

Guiao is confident there’s much time to be ready for at least a competitive showing in the China meet, just as what Gilas showed in Seville, Spain in 2014.

The Nationals dropped close matches against Croatia (78-81 in overtime), Greece (70-82), Argentina (81-85) and Puerto Rico (73-77) before topping Senegal, 81-79, in overtime.

Guiao said they could really compete better if Clarkson, the Fil-Am guard playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, brings his act back with Gilas.

Clarkson had his previous stint with the national team in the Asian Games in Jakarta last year.

However, Clarkson has yet been cleared by the International Basketball Federation with regards to his playing status in FIBA tourneys.

SBP’s goal is to have Clarkson cleared as a local for him to be able to play alongside naturalized player Blatche.

SBP president Al Panlilio has been in touch with FIBA about Clarkson’s status. As far back as 2015, the national federation submitted documents to FIBA in an effort to prove that Clarkson has been issued a Philippine passport at age 12.

To be eligible in FIBA games as a local player, a dual citizen must secure his passport from the country he will represent before turning 16.

“We’ll work on that,” said Ryan Gregorio, the special assistant to the SBP president, optimistic they can get FIBA’s nod on Clarkson ahead of the World Cup.