Like greats Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, Jordan Clarkson, an eight-year NBA pro who has embraced being the Philippines’ representative in the NBA, visited the world-renowned Tenement in Taguig City.
But unlike the Tenement’s past visitors, Clarkson shared that he can feel and relate to each and every one inside the compound.
“This is kind of where it started,” said Clarkson, who traces his roots in Pampanga.
“We came here the first time I visited here, now I’m just continuing my visits. Every NBA player comes here. They’re not from here — I am.”
Clarkson also distributed shoes he brought for the children present at the event as well as shirts, basketballs, and meals.
Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano exchanges jerseys with Jordan Clarkson /I Love Taguig
Going around the country is just his second goal in his visit to the country. Well, there will be a lot of them come 2023.
His mission right now is to immerse himself in this batch of Gilas Pilipinas — a program that has been under fire since the removal of Tab Baldwin as head coach early this year.
Wins have been few for the program.
At the regional level, it lost its hold of the Southeast Asian Games last May after a three-decade reign.
At the Asian level, the only team Gilas has beaten is India. On Monday, they face Saudi Arabia — a walkover win on paper.
While everyone is panicking as the World Cup is less than a full calendar year away, Clarkson is staying the course, firmly believing that this is just stage one of the process.
(C) FIBA.basketball
And in this process, he plans to keep close with his Gilas teammates, particularly Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos.
“Seeing Kai Sotto, Carl, you know those guys right there, Dwight, they’re just talented players,” he said.
“Three-hundred, sixty days. We got some time to prepare and get ready for all of that.”
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is planning a three-month camp starting in May of next year for the Gilas pool.
Clarkson will be on board come the last six weeks of it.
