Philippine team ready to play even without Clarkson

After failing to get clearance from the National Basketball Association , Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson is now officially out of the Philippine team that will compete in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

National coach Yeng Guiao admits he was disappointed with the NBA’s verdict but he remains confident that the rest of the team is ready to compete even without Clarkson.

“We’ll prepare without Jordan Clarkson, which we have been doing since the beginning anyway,” he said. “We just got excited and we expected that he could play so there’s a little bit of disappointment but we’re prepared.”

“We’ll still be playing as hard as we can with or without Jordan Clarkson,” Guiao continued. “As I said, we managed our expectations and we’re ready to do the work on our own. But it would have been a lot of help if Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines.”

The Asiad-bound team has been practicing for seven days straight since the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) decided to revoke its earlier decision to withdraw from the quadrennial meet.

SBP officials worked to get the necessary permits that would have allowed Clarkson to suit up, but the NBA turned down the request. Through an official statement, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said that NBA players can only participate in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments.

SBP president Al Panlilio also expressed his disappointment over the NBA’s decision, especially amidst reports that the Houston Rockets’ Zhou Qi and the Dallas Mavericks’ Ding Yanyuhang will be playing for China in the Asian Games. —