The Fil-Am NBA star recently visited the Philippines to do some endorsements. He also entertained the idea of joining the Gilas team for a possible slot in the team’s roster for the FIBA Asia championship games starting Sept. 23.
Clarkson, whose mother hails from Angeles, Pampanga, in the Philippines, is one of the most promising young players in the NBA and is now in his second year as a Laker.
The 23-year-old Lakers point guard was well on his way to joining the Gilas team when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Clarkson couldn’t make it to the team because FIBA failed to issue a clearance for Clarkson to play for Gilas on time. The LA Lakers, meanwhile, could not release Clakson for the entire duration of the FIBA Asia schedule though the team was willing to allow the Fi-Am guard to play in the early rounds.
“We did all that we could do to have Jordan Clarkson join Gilas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship but we are saddened to report that we are not able to beat the deadline to secure the necessary clearances on time,” the SBP said in its official announcement.
Clarkson expressed his disappointment for failing to represent in the Philippines in its quest to make to the Rio games via the FIBA Asia Championship tournament.
“Upon my return from supporting Gilas in The Jones Cup, I had a great talk with my dad. I told him of my experiences with the team and how passionate I was about representing an entire country. My Dad told me to follow my heart,” Clarkson said after flying back to Los Angeles following his bonding with the Gilas team in the recently concluded Jones Cup in Taiwan.
“I spoke to Lakers General Manager, Mitch Kupchak, and he shared the same sentiments about representing an entire country and supported my decision either way,” he added.
“The Filipino Fans are some of the most passionate in the world and many of them are Laker’s supporters. I want to sincerely thank all of the fans who sent me letters of encouragement during these last three months about Gilas,”
Despite the setback, Clarkson expressed hope that the Gilas team will end up winning the Gold.
