FILE – Jordan Clarkson joins Gilas Pilipinas practice. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas is hoping to have Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson by August 15, national coach Chot Reyes said on Wednesday.
“He has made himself available. He said he could come in and practice starting I think August 15 for the next window,” the concurrent program director told reporters shortly after steering TNT past Converge for a semifinal berth in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“So now, I know the (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) team manager Butch Antonio is talking to his management team to fix all the logisitcs to allow him and come and play,” he added.
The Philippines is set to play Asia Cup finalist Lebanon on August 25 on the road, and then host Saudi Arabia four days later for the second round of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers that the Nationals are utilizing for its build-up for the global showcase here next year.
Reyes however whipped up a dash of reality check as he further talked about Clarkson, a former winner of the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award.
“May inaayos. I mean if you’re asking—until he’s actually here, we can never be a hundred percent. Minsan nga may mga nakapirma di pa rain dumating. So we can’t really be a 100 percent,” he said.
“But right now we’re planning with him in the lineup—with Jordan Clarkson as part of the lineup. That’s the best way I could answer it,” he added.
Clarkson last reinforced Gilas during the 2018 Asian Games, playing alongside a collection of top flight pros under Yeng Guiao.
Reyes said it would’ve been neat to have Clarkson play in two home games, but the contest against the Cedars, which handily beat Gilas in their previous meeting, will keep that from turning into a reality.