CLARKSON TO THE RESCUE
Struggling Gilas Pilipinas got a major boost as National Basketball Association (NBA) stalwart Jordan Clarkson confirmed his participation in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers next month.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes broke the news, saying that Utah Jazz swingman is tipped to see action in the second round of the qualifiers set from 25 to 29 August.
The Philippines will open its campaign against Lebanon on the 25th followed by another battle against Saudi Arabia on the 29th.
Clarkson’s presence is a massive shot in the arm for the Gilas program that is struggling to find its groove inside the court while dealing with a lot of bashers who are demanding for heads to roll following a fruitless performance in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi last May and FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta late Tuesday.
In the knockout battle against Japan, for instance, NBA cager Yuta Watanabe was at his best, sparking an early 19-7 run that greatly demoralized and doomed the chances of the young Gilas side en route to a sorry 81-102 loss.
But with Clarkson set to be on board, there is a strong possibility that the fortune of this hard-lucked Gilas squad will be reversed.
“We also have word that Jordan Clarkson is also coming. Hoping to join the team as well to play on the 25th and the 29th, Reyes said in a recent interview.
He added that the smooth-playing Filipino-American superstar will attract the defense, creating a bigger room for other Gilas stars to operate.
“I think the one thing Jordan will bring to the team is gravity,” said Reyes, who has yet to coach Clarkson in the international stage.
“Just with him being there, the other team will have to worry about stopping him and by virtue of that alone, it’s going to give open looks, open spaces, and opportunities for the players to attack and score.”
If ever the plan pans out, it’s going to be Clarkson’s second tour of duty for Gilas.
He first suited up in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018 in which he played as a local player due to the lenient eligibility rules of the Olympic Council of Asia and host country.
In the upcoming qualifiers, however, the 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year is expected to be listed as an import as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has yet to settle its appeal to let him play as a local player.
Per FIBA rules, players who wish to play as a local must have obtained the passport of the countries they wish to represent before turning 16 years old.
Aside from Clarkson, Reyes also mentioned they are hoping to secure the services of 7-foot-2 big man Kai Sotto to provide additional ceiling and inside presence -- something they badly missed in their recent FIBA campaigns this year.
“Hopefully, Kai Sotto can make it this time,” Reyes said.*