Nalungkot si Clarkson
MANILA, Philippines – Lubhang ikinadismaya ni Fil-American Jordan Clarkson ang hindi niya pagkakasama sa Final 12 ng Gilas Pilipinas na sasabak sa FIBA Asia Championship nang hindi siya mabigyan ng FIBA clearance.
“I’m very disappointed I won’t be able to play with Gilas during the FIBA Asia Championships,” wika kahapon ng 6-foot-3 na si Clarkson sa isang statement.
Hangad ng 23-anyos na si Clarkson na matulungan ang Nationals sa FIBA Asia meet, nakatakda sa Set-yembre 23 hanggang Oktubre 3, na tumatayong regional qualifier para sa 2016 Olympic Games sa Rio De Janeiro.
Bagama’t hindi siya nabigyan ng FIBA clearance ay sinabi ni Clarkson na karapat-dapat ang napiling Final 12 ni coach Tab Baldwin na sina naturalized player Andray Blatche, Asi Taulava, Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, Marc Pingris, Dondon Hontiveros, JC Intal, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser at Ranidel De Ocampo.
“We can all agree, the 12 men selected to represent the Philippines have earned the right and any conti-nued efforts on my part would not be fair to the team,” sabi ni Clarkson. “I will cheer them onto gold.”
Nagsimulang sumama si Clarkson, ang 42nd pick overall ng Los Angeles Lakers noong 2014 NBA Rookie Draft, sa training ng Gilas Pilipinas noong Agosto 3 at tumayong ‘observer’ sa pagsikwat ng Nationals sa silver medal ng nakaraang 37th Jones Cup sa Taipei.
Nauna nang napapayag ni Clarkson ang kanyang amang si Mike at si Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak na sumama sa Gilas Pilipinas.
“My Dad told me to follow my heart,” ani Clarkson. “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.” (RC)
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