Carrying Philippine banner highest of high in my career, says Cavs Jordan Clarkson
JAKARTA — Carrying the Philippine flag in front of the thousands of people at the Bukarno Stadium and millions of audience watching all over Asia was probably the highest of high in Jordan Clarkson’s career.
The Filipino-American who made his way to the NBA and got the rare opportunity of playing alongside two NBA greats — Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers — considered his experience playing for the Philippine men’s basketball team and becoming the flag bearer in the Asian Games topped them all.
“Probably if not the top achievement it means a lot to me. It’s a great experience for me. Definitely, getting a medal will be an amazing achievement,” Clarkson told the media during the press conference jointly hosted by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano at the Ritz-Carlton hotel here late Sunday night.
This is the first time Clarkson will be playing for the Philippine team, being bankrolled this time by Rain or Shine. He was first considered to play in 2015 for the FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, China. A few weeks ago, things went back and forth when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) earlier announced it will pull out of its campaign in the Asiad, but had a change of heart at the last minute.
When Clarkson learned that he was given the go signal to join the national team, he immediately jumped on the opportunity, taking a 17-hour flight to Indonesia and made it to the Philippine’s game against Kazakhstan in the latter portion of the third period.
“We went back and forth, I have to jump on the plane the next day just a few hours before they cleared me. Just being able to come here it’s a step forward for them. There are a lot of players around the world. This game has become global. It’s a place of freedom, a place where they can express themselves. I think the game is evolving,” added Clarkson.
“I don’t know how big the Asian Games is. But even before I knew carrying the flag and representing the country is big, but coming out there was probably the highest of high in my career. In my life. Just being able to experience that is definitely a blessing. I had a great time. You see everybody’s faces, from the softball team to the basketball team, everybody. It was a great experience. A great honor.”
Today, Clarkson will finally gets a chance to play when the Philippine squad being coached by Yeng Guiao takes on heavy favorite China at 4 p.m. in Indonesia (5 p.m. in Manila).
While focus of attention will be on him, Clarkson believes the focus should be more given emphasis on how the Philippine team will grow together.
“We have to compete, step on the floor. We don’t have to worry about China, we have to worry about ourselves, execute our game plan, do whatever coach (Yeng Guiao) tells us to do, share the ball, play fast. I’m just trying to learn with everybody. Our practices were really good, intense the last few days. Growing as a team is our main goal. We felt that our team has a lot of talent, a lot of experience and a lot of heart. We’ll go out there and compete and win a medal,” said Clarkson.
“We have a lot of great players there to compete. I don’t think all eyes will be on me. I feel like the guys are ready. I already saw the talent level of the team. I’ve seen the players in the NBA, but I think we have a solid group. We’re all together on this. We’re coming to win.”
SBP president Al Panlilio said putting up the best team out there despite the lack of preparation was still the main thrust of the country’s governing body in basketball.
The group wanted to anchor it on Clarkson, a legitimate NBA player.
“The SBP will never waiver on its thrust to come up with its best team in all international competitions. We want to represent the country. I am very happy to see JC to finally represent the country in the Asian Games,” wrote Panlilio in a statement. “JC is a simple guy and he wants to be with the guys. May pusong Pinoy. He will be a great asset for us as we build our campaign here. Seeing him carrying the flag during the opening ceremony and finally cleared to play, I must say that all our efforts are worth it. Lahat ng hirap sulit. Napakasarap maging Pilipino.”— Rey Joble