Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2023 FIBA World Cup

SBP to press Clarkson’s Gilas eligibility, to cite Jawato, Qatar cases


Jordan Clarkson has always been vocal about his desire to play and represent the Philippines in international tournaments.

And the feeling is mutual for Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The SBP still pushes its case for Clarkson’s inclusion in the national team to FIBA, bared SBP president Al Panlilio on Power and Play.

“We continue to press it kasi we have gotten some information from some teams na may mga passports na nakuha beyond 16 for some reason,” he said.

“We’re looking at other situations that can help and aid us.”

There have been two cases of players being classified as locals by FIBA despite not getting their passports by the age of 16.

The Philippines’ neighbor Indonesia got clearance to plug Brandon Jawato as a local during the Manama window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last November.

Then there’s Qatar.

Babacar Dieng, Meho Haracic, Emir Mujkic, and Faris Avdic all played as locals for Qatar in the same tournament despite being Bosnian-Herzegovina and Senegalese by birth.

According to reports, Jordan’s basketball team will also have “new faces” for the World Cup Qualifiers.

“We have gotten some info na may passports na nakuha beyond 16 years old and we want to understand what happened there,” said Panlilio.

“We’re looking at other situations that might aid us.”

The 2020-21 NBA Sixth Man of the Year has already donned the Gilas jersey, a stint in the Asian Games – which is not sanctioned by FIBA.

There, he helped the Philippines to a fifth-place finish among Asia’s best in a one-time exception given by the NBA.

#ReadMore  MPL PH: Echo still spotless, takes down Minana for win No. 6

However, FIBA eligibility ruling states that a player may represent a country if he or she acquired a passport before turning 16.

But for Panlilio, technicalities and rules aside, the likes of Clarkson, Stanley Pringle, and Christian Standhardinger are Filipinos.

“At the end of the day, these guys are Filipinos so we just continue to push our justification to FIBA.”

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas continue to navigate around manpower woes but the return of Scottie Thompson and June Mar Fajardo is a reason why Coach Tim...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee is expected to suit up and play in Gilas Pilipinas’ home stand in the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025...

Basketball

AJ Edu is doubtful to see action for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ second window no thanks to another...

Basketball

Aside from the pride of representing Gilas Pilipinas once again, Kevin Quiambao shared that his newborn son, Kevin Vennan, will serve as an added...

Basketball

Angelo Kouame has rejoined the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The 6-foot-11 Filipino-Ivorian center, who currently plays for...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee is hoping for another crack at Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT after falling short in the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup Finals. The...

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is set to undergo significant restructuring within the Gilas Pilipinas Boys program following the resignation of head coach...

ESports

The 2024 eFIBA World Finals – the crowning event of eFIBA Season 3 – is scheduled to take place in the basketball-loving nation of...

Advertisement