Baldwin hopes to see Clarkson in Rio qualifier

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin is hoping that Fil-Am guard Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers will be able to represent the country in next year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

While naturalized player Andray Blatche is expected to suit up in Gilas’ last opportunity to qualify for the Rio Olympics, the status of Clarkson remains a big question.

“Right now, we don’t know the status of Jordan’s inclusion,” Baldwin said after the opening ceremonies of the PBA’s 41st season last night at the Mall of Asia Arena where Gilas was also honored for its silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.

“We expect Andray to be there. We expect him to continue to be part of the (Gilas) program. Jordan is still up in the air as far as I know,” added Baldwin.

The 6-foot-5 Clarkson, who is entering his second NBA season with the Lakers, had expressed his willingness to represent the Philippines in international competitions.

In fact, Clarkson attended one practice session of Gilas in Manila before observing the team’s performance in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan last August.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) even included Clarkson in the provisionary roster of Gilas for the Asian Championship but was shelved due to the conflict with the Lakers schedule and clearance from FIBA.

Baldwin is set to hold the once-aweek practices of Gilas on Monday, with 17 PBA players named to the pool expected to participate.

Gilas secured a spot in the OQT for finishing second behind host China, which earned a direct spot in the Rio Olympics for its FIBA Asia win.

The SBP is bidding to host of the one of the three OQT tournaments set July 5 to 10, with the three winners going to Rio.

Meanwhile, the NLEX Road Warriors will be in full force when they make their PBA Philippine Cup debut tomorrow after sophomore guard Kevin Alas and rookie Garvo Lanete were cleared by their respective doctors to play.

NLEX Coach Boyet Fernandez had earlier feared they would be missing the two crafty guards but due to their efficient rehabilitation, their injuries healed earlier than expected. (With a report from Dennis Principe)