Jordan Clarkson's PHL visit opens possibility of suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas

After visiting the Philippines for the first time last May, Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson will return to Manila on Monday as an observer of Gilas Pilipinas practices.

 

In a press release, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Clarkson's trip to the country following an endorsement deal with Smart Communications.

 

Clarkson will also go to Taiwan next week to watch the national team compete in the William Jones Cup Invitational, a part of their buildup for the FIBA Asia Championship.

 

The 22-year-old cager has expressed his desire to wear the country's colors and represent the Philippines, but he is deemed ineligible by FIBA rules unless he becomes a naturalized Filipino citizen.

 

Clarkson has legitimate Filipino heritage, as his mother Annette hails from Angeles, Pampanga, but he has not secured a Philippine passport since before his 16th birthday which FIBA requires.

 

In an earlier interview, Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin said that the NBA player is unlikely to play for the flag soon as the national team primarily needs a big man in the naturalized position.

 

"If there ever came a time that we need a guard, it's great to know that Jordan is available," he said. "It's nice to know that's there and he has that feeling for the country and that desire to represent us."

 

With the thin Gilas Pilipinas pool as several players begged off national team duties and the spate of injuries hitting the team, the possibility of tapping Clarkson may not be too far-fetched at this point.

 

Naturalized big man Andray Blatche suffered a groin injury in the first week of practices and remains a little bit overweight as Gilas began their tuneup games in Estonia.

 

Baldwin has already tapped 2015 draft pick Moala Tautuaa as a backup for Blatche, but Clarkson could be a better choice over the incoming PBA rookie owing to his NBA experience. —ALG, GMA News