Clarkson to play if Phl will reach 2019 World Cup
Jordan Clarkson’s next stint with Team Phl won’t be too far ahead if the Nationals make the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
“For sure, he’ll be with the national team if we qualify to the world,” said Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Patrick Gregorio, among the key players in making possible Clarkson’s participation in the 18th Asian Games.
“He’s already mapping out plan for his stints with our national team in the next four years,” said Gregorio, who hosted the farewell dinner for the Fil-Am NBA player here.
Clarkson is looking forward to being back in the country’s blue and white uniform in the 2019 World Cup, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and the next World Cup the country is hosting in 2023.
He’d kept on saying here he’s thankful he was able to represent “our country” – his mother’s homeland – in the Jakarta Asiad.
“Just being able to come out here and represent the country and the flag, I want to thank everyone all the way through. We competed and finished on a high note,” said the Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard at the end of their Asiad campaign Friday.
He sizzled with five three-pointers and a total of 29 points that went with six assists and four rebounds in their 109-55 victory over Syria that capped their shining fifth-place finish in the tourney.
An emotional pre-game huddle by coach Yeng Guiao pumped up the Nationals who poured everything without letup, without mercy on the way to posting the country’s best finish in the quadrennial continental games in 16 year.
“Coach Yeng became very emotional and held back his tears several times. He was so thankful to work with these gallant men and grateful to serve the country,” said assistant coach Ryan Gregorio.
“The players responded not with words but action. We beat Syria by 54 points. Tunay na para sa bayan,” added Gregorio.
Clarkson himself was inspired.
“This experience was one I will never forget, so blessed to play for the country and represent the flag and the people,” said Clarkson, also expressing the great bonding he had with the team.
“I loved playing for coach, along with my teammates/ brothers building bonds that will hold strong,” Clarkson said. “More to come. I can’t wait for the next time I get to put the colors on.”
Clarkson, however, has to report back to the Cleveland Cavaliers camp.
Invited to the Phl camp for its next games in the WC qualifiers against Iran on September 13 and versus Qatar on September 17 are Jakarta Games holdovers Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Poy Erram, Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood and Asi Taulava plus Matthew Wright, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson, Ian Sangalang and Allein Malicsi.