Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson, right, watches on the bench as he arrives during a match against Philippines and Kazakhstan at the men’s basketball match at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Clarkson will play with the Philippine team on the next games. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
It took a lot to put Jordan Clarkson in the Philippine bench but it finally happened through hook and crook.
After the NBA’s reversal regarding Clarkson’s inclusion to the Philippine team, the Cleveland Cavalier eventually joined the men’s national basketball team in the Indonesia Asian Games.
Clarkson, who travelled from Los Angeles and had a layover in Singapore, went straight to the GBK Basketball Hall after he landed in Jakarta Thursday and was able to catch his national team as they duked it out against Kazakhstan in the third quarter.
The Philippines easily handled the Kazakhs 96-59 while Clarkson watched from the bench beside Asi Taulava.
The NBA initially disallowed Clarkson to join the Philippines in the Asian Games since the league only allows its players to play in the Olympics and Fiba tournaments.
Clarkson was then given a “one-time exception” to play in the continental meet after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ persuasion.
The 26-year-old swingman will have four days to acclimate himself with his new team and learn head coach Yeng Guiao’s system. /je
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