MANILA, Philippines - Isinumite ni SBP executive director Sonny Barrios ang isang 24-man team line-up sa FIBA Asia para makaabot sa deadline noong Linggo.
Sa ilalim ng FIBA rules, tanging mga players lamang na nasa roster ang pagmumulan ng Final 12 para sa FIBA Asia Championships sa Changsha sa Sept. 23-Oct. 3.
“It’s a ‘just-in-case’ list,” wika ni Barrios. “You’ll never know what could happen from now until the submission of the 12-man lineup on Sept. 8. We’re only making sure that in case there are players whom coach Tab (Baldwin) wants to bring in late and they’re available, we’ll be able to suit them up for Changsha.”
Ang 24-man lineup ay kinabibilangan nina Andray Blatche, Jimmy Alapag, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, J.C. Intal, Aldrech Ramos, Marc Pingris, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Matt Ganuelas, Dondon Hontiveros, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Moala Tautuaa, Asi Taulava, Terrence Romeo, JuneMar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Paul Lee, Kiefer Ravena, Jordan Clarkson, L.A. Tenorio at Bobby Ray Parks.
Ang tanging player sa roster na walang Filipino lineage ay si Blatche na isang naturalized citizen.
Nakuha ni Blatche ang kanyang Filipino citizenship mula sa isang panukala sa Congress at isa nang Philippine passport holder kagaya ng iba pang player sa lineup.
Sinabi naman ni Barrios na walang mawawala kung isinama nila sa line-up sina Fajardo, Lassiter, Lee at Tenorio.
“Baka biglang pwede na rin silang sumali,” ani Barrios. “It would like ‘hulog ng langit.’ But we’re keeping our options open.”
Sorpresa naman ang pagkakasama nina Ra-vena at Parks.
Maglalaro si Ravena para sa Ateneo sa dara-ting na UAAP season na magsisimula sa Sept. 5, habang nasa US naman si Parks para sa hanga-ring makakuha ng NBA contract.
Ikinagulat din ang pagkakabilang ni Clarkson.
“Jordan has expressed a strong desire to play for Gilas,” sabi ni Barrios. “Of course, we’ll welcome him with open arms. He’s extremely popular with the Fil-Am community in the US and he has a genuine love for our country which is where his Filipina mother Annette was born. Jordan is proud of his Filipino heritage and every Filipino all over the world is excited about the possibility of him playing for Gilas.”
Dumating si Clarkson sa bansa mula sa Los Angeles kagabi at pumirma ng kasunduan sa Smart Communications bilang endorser at nakatakdang magsagawa ng mga clinics.
Si Clarkson ay sasama sa Gilas bilang isang observer at sasamahan ang koponan sa paglahok sa Jones Cup sa Taipei.
Noong Mayo ay bumisita si Clarkson sa Manila at pinagkaguluhan ng kanyang mga fans.
“If ever Clarkson plays for Gilas, he’ll be our next national hero,” sabi ng isang basketball expert. “Imagine a combination of Blatche and Clarkson. They’ll bring the country back to the Olympics after 44 years.”