Clarkson in lineup; FIBA OK awaited
The tantalizing prospect of two players with NBA experience wearing the colors of the national team in the FIBA Asia Championship loomed on the horizon after the coaching staff yesterday released a 24-man roster of aspirants to the team that included Jordan Clarkson, a Fil-American playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas had written the FIBA that it plans to field Clarkson if there is no legal or rule impediment that would prevent the 23-year-old from playing for Gilas in the Asian Championship.
The FIBA has not taken action on the SBP inquiry although the letter was sent weeks ago. But in the event FIBA approval is obtained, Clarkson can easily be inserted in the lineup since his name has been included in the roster.
If Clarkson makes the team, he would join former Brooklyn Nets player Andray Blatche in the lineup, setting up a formidable duo that would make Gilas one of the favorites for the title.
The winner of the event gets the lone Asian slot to the Rio Olympics next year.
Surprisingly, the SBP also included two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Salva and a 2016 first round pick to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in exchange for guards Josh Urbiztondo, Emman Monfort and Jens Knuttel.
Also approved was a deal that put Blackwater guard Brian Heruela to San Miguel Beer for backup playmaker Jeric Fortuna. (With a report from Waylon Galvez) June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio and Marcio Lassiter in the roster although the three San Miguel group players had declined invitations to join the team.
SBP deputy director for international affairs Butch Antonio explained that having so many names in a provisional roster is a common practice among international federations in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments. The purpose is to have a long list in case last minute changes are made.
“It has been a practice, we submit us many names,” said Antonio yesterday. “The reason why we’re doing this is at least you don’t miss out on players becoming available. It’s like covering whatever bases we need to cover because you never know.”
“Although we have our national team training pool, we still named players who are not attending the practice sessions. This is not the first time we did this – naming 24 players to the roster. We put names that are not even on the training pool,” added Antonio.
The roster includes Blatche, Jimmy Alapag, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, JC Intal, Aldrech Ramos, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Dondon Hontiveros, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Moala Tautuaa, Asi Taulava and Terrence Romeo, Marc Pingris, Paul Lee, Bobby Ray Parks and Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena.
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said the association has high hopes that Clarkson’s Gilas stint would be approved as he already satisfied the crucial requirement of having a Philippine passport.
The other FIBA requirement in this matter is that the applicant player must have a Philippine passport by age 16.
“We’ve been doing the paperwork at SBP, we already wrote FIBA regarding clarification on the eligibility of Jordan Clarkson. I don’t think it’s too late, we just to make sure everything is covered,” said Antonio.
“The good thing about this is that all parties are happy because Clarkson’s willingness to play for the national team, for his desire to play for flag and country,” added Antonio.
Clarkson arrived Monday night from the US to show that he is serious in joining Gilas. He also has been tapped as celebrity endorser of Smart Communications which is owned by SBP President Manny Panglinan who also has three teams in the PBA.
The deadline for submission of the final 12-man roster of the national team for the Asian championship is Sept. 8, and Antonio said the SBP is hoping to get a reply from FIBA as soon as possible.