Though the likelihood of Jordan Clarkson joining Gilas Pilipinas in China for the 2019 FIBA World Cup is getting slimmer by the day, Yeng Guiao is not losing all hope.
After all, Clarkson himself is staying ready.
Over the weekend, SPIN.ph caught up with the Cleveland Cavaliers guard during an event he organized in Los Angeles. Clarkson shared that he has taken no days off since he hopes to get clearance from the International Basketball Federation to play as a local.
“I’m just standing ready, working out. If I get the opportunity, it will happen,” said Clarkson, who averaged 26.0 points on 46 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from downtown, along with 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists during the 2018 Asian Games.
Guiao lauded the 27-year-old’s desire to represent his motherland despite the probability of him actually suiting up.
“That’s a good sign, at least. We’ve always been appreciative of his desire and his determination, actually, to keep himself ready,” Guiao said on Monday evening.
“Kung siya mismo, hindi nawawalan ng pag-asa, dapat tayo din, hindi mawalan ng pag-asa.”
The veteran tactician isn’t holding out for a lineup that includes both Clarkson and Andray Blatche. If he does, the team could suffer.
Given the uncertainty, Guiao admitted that he and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have already set a timetable for a response from FIBA regarding Clarkson’s case.
“Wala pa, pero we’re asking them to give us a timetable din. Kasi mahirap naman na maghintay ka ng maghintay sa wala,” he said.
“That’s one reason why we put him in the pool and may mga effort naman, backdoor effort. But yung probability nun, yung chances medyo mababa. But we’re still hoping.”
Gilas leave for Spain for a pocket tournament on August 4.
