Clarkson returns ‘to inspire Gilas’

Los Angeles Lakers’ Fil-American rookie Jordan Clarkson interact with the kids during the NBA Cares event Saturday in Tondo, Manila. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Los Angeles Lakers’ Filipino-American point guard Jordan Clarkson arrives today from the United States  to sign a deal making him an endorser of Smart Telecom’s products and to help inspire Gilas Pilipinas in its buildup for the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship next month.

Clarkson, who blossomed into a force at the point with Kobe Bryant injured last season, will be a keen observer of Gilas practices. He is expected to join the team in Taipei during the Jones Cup.

Even though his mother Annette is from Angeles City in Pampanga, Clarkson cannot play for the country because of a Fiba rule that requires a player to select his citizenship at the age of 16.

That rule has also prevented Stanley Pringle and Moala Tautuaa, the 6-foot-7 Fil-Tongan picked first by Talk ‘N Text in the PBA Draft Sunday, from playing for the Philippines.

Clarkson will also supervise basketball clinics in Manila.  Musong R. Castillo