Filipino superstars make one last push for Jordan Clarkson’s All-Star Game campaign
Filipinos have been making one last push on social media to bring Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. With less than 24 hours remaining, Meralco assistant coach and former Gilas Pilipinas captain Jimmy Alapag, Jett Manuel of the UP Fighting Maroons, and Isaac Go of the Ateneo Blue Eagles are all in with the “Jordan Clarkson #NBAVote” campaign.
“There’s a hundred million Filipinos all over the world so if everyone gets together and pushes that vote, who knows? He can get the opportunity to represent us in the All-Star Game,” Alapag, who met Clarkson during the 2015 Jones Cup, told Tiebreaker Times.
Currently, Clarkson and the Los Angeles Lakers are currently situated at the 12th spot in the tough Western Conference with a 15-27 record. On his part, the 23-year-old combo guard is posting norms of 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
For UAAP Season 79 Most Improved Player Isaac Go, he believes that Clarkson is one of the factors to have helped the Lakers improve from a dismal 2015-16 campaign.
“Jordan Clarkson’s playing like an All-Star and he is one of the reasons why the Lakers have improved this season,” Ateneo’s big man shared.
Manuel then added that Clarkson’s numbers may not be that high, but statistics should go out the window when it comes to the league’s annual festivity.
“You can argue that some players have better numbers than JC but that’s not what I believe the All-Star Game is all about,” the King Maroon said.
“It’s about fans coming together to support an underdog player that we can relate to when we watch the game itself.”
However, 2015 All-Rookie team member is not in the top 10 in the voting tally for guards from the Western Conference. But even with this obstacle, Alapag, Manuel, and Go hope that there will be a stunning turnaround, calling for Filipinos to vote Clarkson in.
“I’m supporting it! Who would’t want to see a Filipino on the most entertaining stage of basketball?,” Manuel said.
“Not only is he carrying his team on his back but also the dreams of the entire nation on his shoulders,” Go added.
“He’s for sure in tough company but the All-Star Game is an opportunity for the fans to get involved.
“With us Filipinos so passionate about basketball, it’s still possible,” Alapag concluded hopefully.
