MANILA, Philippines -- The atmosphere inside the Meralco gym was electrifying on Wednesday night.
Everyone, from Gilas players to casual fans to sports journalists who were there in attendance, was up on their feet the moment Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers walked in.
The spotlight was on Clarkson, the Fil-American NBA rising star who came here wanting to play for the national team. But he tried to not steal the thunder away from the national team and disrupt the practice session.
After Clarkson participated in the warm-up exercises, he went to the other side of the court to do his own shooting drills then sat on the courtside beside Gilas assistant coach Alex Compton to observe the team plays.
That's all he could do for now while waiting for the clearance of the FIBA then the NBA and the Lakers organization to represent his mother Annette's home country.
Watch the video of Clarkson's first practice with the Gilas Pilipinas: