T1 team Taichung announced that its signing of Jordan Heading has the clearance of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
This comes in the wake of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas raising to both FIBA and the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) that the full-time Gilas pool player still has an existing contract with the federation that runs until March 2023.
“We hereby declare that the contract signed between the Taichung Suns and Jordan Heading is in compliance with the legal requirements and all comply with FIBA’s transfer-related regulations,” read the team’s statement.
Back in March of this year, PBA team Terrafirma took Heading as its pick in the Gilas portion of the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft.
By virtue of the agreement between the PBA and the SBP, all players drafted in the ‘Gilas Draft’ will sign a contract with the national team program until their services are no longer necessary. The team that drafts the player will still own their rights.
The SBP also added that it will wait for FIBA’s decision regarding the matter.
Speaking in Mandarin, Heading also expressed his excitement about coming back home to Taichung.
“I’m Jordan Heading. Super excited to be heading over back to Taichung. Really excited to work with the boys and meet the fans,” he said.
“Thank you and let’s go Taichung!”
The Suns will open their T1 campaign on December 11 against the TaiwanBeer HeroBears.