Clarkson ‘sure to play’ for Gilas in World Cup
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is sure to play in the World Cup.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) erased all doubts surrounding Jordan Clarkson’s availability, saying that he is “sure to play” for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup 2023.
SBP president Al Panlilio yesterday said the National Basketball Association (NBA) standout will power Gilas Pilipinas in the World Cup that the country will co-host with Indonesia and Japan next year.
Aside from the World Cup, there is also a strong possibility that he will see action when Gilas Pilipinas battles Lebanon on 25 August in Beirut and Saudi Arabia in 29 August in Pasay City during the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
He, however, will not be able to compete in the succeeding windows and even in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia as he has to attend to his commitments with the Utah Jazz in the NBA.
“Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is sure to play in the World Cup and will likely join Gilas in the fourth window against Lebanon in Beirut on 25 August and Saudi Arabia at the MOA Arena on 29 August,” Panlilio said in a statement.
“But he won’t be available for the two other windows and the SEA Games.”
It, however, is not clear whether Clarkson will suit up as a local or a naturalized player, which will effectively take the spot of Ange Kouame.
Speculations are swirling that Clarkson’s sudden “availability” is just a ploy to cover up Gilas Pilipinas’ dismal performance in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi and the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta recently.
In fact, former SBP executive and Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala raised his doubt over this development, branding the announcement made by Gilas coach Chot Reyes that Clarkson will be available as part of the federation’s “hype machine.”
“Here we go again with the hype machine. Honestly, this is one of the reasons why people are so frustrated,” Eala, the prime mover of the original Gilas program under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, said in a social media post.
“Raising expectations unnecessarily. Better to just deliver quietly. Don’t give false hopes.”
Clarkson will be in his second tour of duty for Gilas since the 2018 Asian Games and is expected to be joined by a hybrid roster of Philippine Basketball Association players and collegiate standouts in the tourney where the world’s best players will be seeing action.