Los Angeles and GIlas Pilipinas guard Jordan Clarkson. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
Jordan Clarkson may be ineligible to play for the Philippine men’s national team in the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament this July, but that didn’t stop the Los Angeles Lakers guard from showing his support.
Clarkson arrived in Manila on Friday night and joined Gilas Pilipinas, which is in the crucial stages of its buildup, in its training the day after.
“I already can’t give on-the-court support and I wanna be out there playing. I’m just here as a teammate, just be a supportive teammate in some way,” said Clarkson during his media availability with select group of reporters on Saturday at Kerry Sports inside Shangri-La at the Fort. “I’m just here.”
The 23-year-old Clarkson has been ruled out of Gilas’ lineup for the qualifiers after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas failed to get the go-signal from Fiba.
There’s no doubting Clarkson’s willingness to play for Gilas and he has been very vocal about wearing the country’s colors.
Clarkson, whose mother Annette hails from Pampanga, believes that even without his services the team has a chance against the high level of competition as long as it will “continue to fight” every game.
“I wish I could go out there and compete, leave it all out there court. That’s it, man. That’s all you can do, continue to fight. [I] think good things will happen.”
Clarkson also said he’ll be participating in Gilas’ practices this weekend before he leaves the country on Monday.
“I probably won’t do so much scrimmage, but I’ll be in there shooting stuff,” Clarkson, who is also in town for a promotional event, said.