Clarkson, Blatche, Standhardinger, Pringle part of Gilas’ 19-man World Cup pool

Jordan Clarkson has been included to Gilas Pilipinas’ pool for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, according to the list the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas released Monday evening.

Clarkson got in the pool despite his eligibility status. But head coach Yeng Guiao has explained already that should he not be classified as a local, he could be an option as a naturalized player.

But Gilas will not just pick between Clarkson and Andray Blatche as their naturalized players, as Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger have also been included in the pool.

Pringle and Standhardinger took turns as Gilas’ naturalized players in the fourth and fifth windows of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers. This marks their return to the program since last year.

Also in the pool is Guiao’s old reliable Beau Belga, who was just an extra body at first in Gilas practices. He was a part of the Gilas teams that saw action in the fourth and fifth windows of the WCQ.

Young guns CJ Perez and Robert Bolick — both members of the Gilas 23 for ’23 squad — have also made the cut.

Kiefer Ravena, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, Poy Erram, June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, and Matthew Wright complete the pool.