Early Tuesday morning (Manila time), Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, reiterated his intention of wanting to don the colors of the Philippines. However, just like in 2015, it’s easier said than done as the 6-foot-5 combo guard’s paper works have yet to be finished according to Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio.
“We know how much Jordan Clarkson wants to play for the country, but right now, the eligibility rules of FIBA limit this possibility,” bared Antonio, who is also the SBP’s deputy executive director for international affairs.
In the past, the SBP had claimed that Clarkson secured his Philippine passport at the age of 12 years old — making it to the 16-year-old limit imposed by FIBA. However, the international regulating body for basketball denied the country’s request back in 2015 during the FIBA Asia Championship.
Still, the SBP, led by legal councel Atty. Aga Francisco, is doing everything they can to prove that Clarkson, whose mom is a Filipina, is eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas.
“Rest assured that through our legal counsel in SBP, si Atty. Aga Francisco who is also part of the legal commission, we’re trying to see if we can do anything about amending the eligibility rules of FIBA,” Antonio assured.
