SBP banking on Clarkson’s Filipino roots in bid to secure Asiad eligibility

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Jordan Clarkson has been in Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ radar the moment he entered the NBA in 2014.

Several attempts have been made to include the Filipino-American swingman in the national team for international competitions, but all those tries have all gone to nothing.

That hasn’t deterred the SBP, though, as the governing body now tries to secure the services of the 26-year-old Cleveland Cavalier as part of the national team for the Jakarta Asian Games this August.

READ: Jordan Clarkson being tapped for Gilas squad for Asian Games

SBP president Al Panlilio said they will submit Clarkson’s name to the Olympic Council of Asia as part of the Philippine basketball team together with players from Rain or Shine, Gilas cadets, and a few from NLEX.

“We plan to submit Clarkson’s name and it’s up to OCA whether he’s eligible to play in the Asian Games,” said Panlilio after the PBA Board meeting Thursday at the league’s office. “Concurrently we’re negotiating with him on the possibility of playing in the Asian Games.”

Clarkson, though, will still need a clearance from both the NBA and the Cavaliers to be allowed to play with Gilas in Indonesia.

READ: Clarkson, Standhardinger in Asiad lineup unlikely

The SBP is banking on Clarkson’s Filipino ancestry as their main asset in securing OCA’s approval.

“He’s really a Filipino, unlike Andray [Blatche] who was naturalized,” said Panlilio who pointed out Blatche’s removal from the 2014 Asian Games. “Clarkson is really Pinoy.”

“He wants to play, he wants to play for Gilas,” said Panlilio. “It’s always been his dream to play for Gilas, the only issue is the eligibility.”