Window open for Clarkson

MANILA, Philippines - SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said yesterday he foresees no problem adding Jordan Clarkson to the Gilas lineup for the FIBA Asia Championships in Changsha on Sept. 23-Oct. 3 even at the last minute because the Los Angeles Lakers guard will be a “value added” component of the team.

Barrios said there is no doubt that Clarkson is “serious and sincere” in wanting to suit up for the Philippines. “I was told that Jordan was quoted by a foreign news agency about making himself available for the national team even up to the 2024 Olympics when he’ll be 32,” said Barrios. “That’s quite a commitment.  Right now, Jordan is a rising star in the NBA. It may be premature to describe him as Kobe Bryant’s heir apparent but he could be headed in that direction. After this coming season, he’ll be up for a contract extension which could amount to several million dollars. What he’ll receive from playing for Gilas isn’t even one percent of what he could get from the Lakers in the future. It’s just small change. But Jordan wants to play for his mother’s homeland.”

Barrios said when Clarkson visited Angeles City last week, he asked to meet his relatives. “Jordan went to Angeles City to conduct a clinic for kids but his main objective was to get together with his Filipina mother’s relatives,” said Barrios. “He was so excited to meet his Filipino relatives. That was no plastic act. Jordan promised to visit his relatives again, maybe with his mother next time.”

Clarkson’s mother Annette Lucille Tullao, who was born in Angeles City, migrated to the US with her mother Marcelina when she was five. She is now estranged from Clarkson’s father Mike, lives in Texas and stays in close contact with her son. From records, it appears that Clarkson’s mother never renounced her Filipino citizenship.

Barrios said the SBP is complying with FIBA’s eligibility requirements in submitting documents that establish Clarkson’s Filipino lineage. The key document is a Philippine passport that was issued to Clarkson in 2004 when he was 12. Barrios said the SBP has emailed the necessary documents even beyond what FIBA is requiring.

The SBP initially brought up the Clarkson case to FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann and Benjamin Cohen of the Governance and Legal Affairs Department. The case was later endorsed to Ivanka Toteva, the manager of the Sport and Eligibility Department where Lubomir Kotleba is the sports director.

“Jordan came to Manila last May and we met him over lunch,” said Barrios. “Right from the start, Jordan was excited about playing for the Philippines. He came back to see Gilas up close at practice, how he can fit in without violating the Laker house rules. I really admire Jordan’s sense of propriety and maturity. At the Gilas practice, he joined only the drills and never scrimmaged in deference to the Lakers and the NBA. He got to know coach Tab (Baldwin) and the Gilas players, what the system is. He bonded closely with them. So in case he’s able to play in Changsha, he won’t come in totally blind. We all know Jordan has a high basketball IQ so as soon as he gets a go-signal, he can play right away. If he joins, Jordan will take over the 12th spot and I’m sure whoever is displaced will only be too happy to voluntarily give up his slot. I’m often asked if it’s a good idea to bring in Jordan even at a late stage. My reply is simple. Jordan gives us value added. Once he steps in, you can be sure he’ll make an impact.”

SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas and Talk ‘N’ Text PBA governor Patrick Gregorio, meanwhile, left Taipei yesterday for Los Angeles to confer with Jordan’s father and Laker executives. They were in Taipei for the Jones Cup.

“The window is still open for Jordan to play in Changsha,” said Gregorio before leaving Taipei. “But it’s a small opening. We’re looking at a long-term relationship between Jordan and Gilas. At the moment, time is of the essence. We are aware of Jordan’s situation, that he’s up for a contract extension after this NBA season. Someone mentioned that Jordan is supposed to report to the Lakers by Sept. 28. If that’s true, then, maybe we can talk about it during our meeting with the Laker executives.” What is certain is the Lakers are required to attend Media Day in Los Angeles on Sept. 30.

Vargas and Gregorio were ready to fly to San Antonio, Texas, where Jordan’s father lives but the meeting was moved to Los Angeles. “Jordan’s father offered to fly to Los Angeles so we could all sit down with Jordan,” said Gregorio. “We’re excited to explain what Jordan’s future is with Gilas.  Jordan already knows what the vision is for Philippine basketball and he wants to be part of it. He’s very proud of his Filipino lineage and he wants to do his share for our country.”

At the Jones Cup, Gilas team manager Butch Antonio confirmed that naturalized player Andray Blatche will be back in Taipei on Saturday. “He will go home to Manila with the team on Monday,” said Antonio. “He flew to the US to be with his family, especially his mother, for the wake and funeral of his uncle.” Gilas will play the US on Saturday and Chinese-Taipei B on Sunday to wind up its schedule. Antonio said Blatche may play against Chinese-Taipei B.