Panlilio hopes NBA OKs Clarkson again

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio reached out to the NBA the other day, personally thanking deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum for allowing Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson to play for the Philippine team in the recently-concluded Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games in Indonesia.

Clarkson, a 6-foot-5 Filipino-American, was initially barred by the NBA citing its agreement with FIBA that doesn’t include the Asian Games as one of the approved tournaments.

However, the SBP made a last ditch effort for the inclusion of Clarkson which the NBA considered favorably.

“Our wish of having Jordan Clarkson play for the Philippine Team has become a reality in the Asian Games,” said Panlilio in a statement.

Clarkson who averaged 26 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists, helped the Philippines finished fifth, two rungs above its seventh place finish four years ago in the Incheon Asian Games.

Panlilio, in his meeting with Tatum in New York, also to appealed to the NBA to allow Clarkson compete for the Philippines in future international competitions, particularly during the league’s off-season.

“SBP’s desire is to have him play in future competitions during the NBA break. With a stronger communication line and relationship with Mark Tatum and the NBA, I am confident that it can happen again,” said Panlilio.

“The goal of SBP is to come up with the best possible Philippine team, have a chance to win every tournament and ultimately make over 100 million Filipinos happy,” added Panlilio.

From New York, Panlilio will fly to Las Vegas to join fellow PBA governors for their annual planning session.

The national team, under coach Yeng Guiao, is set to see action in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, against Iran in Tehran on September 13 and Quatar on September 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.