I THINK one fan said it all for exasperated Pinoy hoops fans during the weird past few days. He wrote, “I’m going to believe Jordan Clarkson will play if I see him in a Gilas uniform during an actual game.”
That comment came after a weird cycle that had Pinoy fans learning that Clarkson had been denied, was granted by the NBA, oh-let’s-wait-for-official-word yet, he has been denied, and yes, finally the NBA has agreed!
Pity the 12th man, who got inserted very late in the day to fill Clarkson’s spot, only to lose it at the 11th hour to Clarkson, too. But being a team player, the guy wouldn’t mind, I’m sure.
And, of course, to add more to the drama, Clarkson will be the flag bearer in the opening ceremony. To be fair, though, I’ve read about this plan months ago, when there was that possibility of the NBA player suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas.
Will Clarkson’s stint with Gilas now make us a medal threat? No, not by a mile, considering how short a time he will have to practice with Yeng Guiao’s squad. Still, this is a fulfillment of every fan’s dream ever since they’ve learned the former Laker has held a Philippine passport since he was a child. You see, one of Fiba’s odd rules that hampered countries like the Philippines was to require those who want to play for their country to have owned passports of that country as early as 16.
Before, we use to discover Filipino-Americans when they were in college already or headed to the PBA; we got them passports and voila, they played for the Philippines. Fiba ended that practice with that passport-holder-at-16 rule.
Despite the drama surrounding his Philippine debut--which isn’t his fault, I have to clarify--I want to see Clarkson in action because this guy has held a Philippine passport not only for basketball purposes. That I don’t think he’d be a gold-swinging factor doesn’t matter.
Besides, his stint in the Asiad will serve as a preview for the Pinoy hoop fans when we resume our much ballyhooed Fiba World Cup qualifying campaign.
You know, the one that started this whole we-are-going-we-are-not-going drama?
Now, on to the Asiad!
Let’s see how Clarkson does.
But of course, that goes without saying, let’s also see how all the rest of our athletes fare—not just in basketball.