LA Lakers OK with Jordan Clarkson playing for Gilas, but...

Published September 3, 2015 1:27pm

Los Angeles Lakers have no problems allowing its guard Jordan Clarkson to play for Gilas Pilipinas - so long as his stint in the national team would not affect his duties as an NBA player.

The 23-year-old Fil-American has expressed his desire to play for the Philippine flag. He came to Manila to observe Gilas practices and also flew to Taiwan to watch their first three games in the William Jones Cup.

Fans rejoiced about Clarkson's willingness to wear the country's colors, but they were also quick to recognize that the rising NBA star's availability also depends on the approval of the Lakers management.

"As long as it would not interfere with responsibilities of the Lakers, we would have no objection to any of our players playing for their national teams," John Black, the Lakers' vice-president for public relations, told GMA News Online in an email.

In an interview with CBS Los Angeles, Black cited the collective bargaining agreement between the league and NBA players regarding national team duties.

"As long as national team play does not interfere with team requirements and there are no injury issues, it is up to the players whether or not to play," he said.

Black, however, said that Lakers' players are required to be back in Los Angeles by September 28, which means that Clarkson can only play in the group stage of FIBA Asia Championships.

Grouped with Palestine, Hong Kong, and Kuwait, Gilas Pilipinas is scheduled to play the three teams on September 23, 24, and 25. September 26, meanwhile, is a rest day.

Clarkson, who was named in the 24-man national team pool submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, would have to fly back to the United States on the 27th if he would suit up for country in FIBA Asia. - JST, GMA News

Tags: losangeleslakers, jordanclarkson, gilaspilipinas