Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made a last-minute push but failed to tap the services of Jordan Clarkson for the Asian Games.
Veteran guard Chris Tiu, however, admitted having the Fil-American guard to play for the Philippines in Indonesia was a “long shot” in the first place.
Tiu, who is one of five Rain or Shine players part of the national team, said there’s just one too many hurdles to go through before Clarkson gets the green light to finally don the Philippines’ colors.
“To begin with we never really expected him to be available anyway because it’s really a long shot,” said Tiu, who was also an original member of the Gilas program formed in 2009.
“Having the Olympic Committee, the Asian Games Committee, the NBA, his management team and his mother team all allow him I think it’s really a long shot.”
On Sunday, the NBA released a statement saying that it did not allow Clarkson, who plays a key role for the Cleveland Cavaliers, to suit up for the Philippines in the Asian Games.
The 33-year-old Tiu still commended the SBP’s efforts to get Clarkson, who was included in the final lineup.
“But of course, we still appreciate and laud the effort of the basketball officials here in the Philippines who tried to make it happen,” he said.
“But for the team, we never really kind of banked on that possibility so we’re just gonna compete with whatever we have and hopefully, it will be sufficient to propel us to win against Kazakhstan and China and whoever we will face.”
The Philippine team flies to Jakarta, Indonesia Sunday night.
The Filipinos open their campaign on Thursday against Kazakhstan before clashing with China on August 21.
The Nationals need to win at least one game to advance to the next round.