Reyes announces Clarkson’s arrival in PHL on August 15 for FIBA preparations

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team head coach Chot Reyes revealed that NBA star Jordan Clarkson is set to arrive in the Philippines on August 15.

Following a series of disappointing events from the Southeast Asian Games to the FIBA Asia Cup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) decided to field the Filipino-American guard for the next window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asia qualifiers.

Reyes bared that Clarkson will be joining the team practices in preparation for the upcoming international tournament and will mark his return to Gilas since donning the blue and white jersey last 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta.

The veteran tactician also said that the coaching staff is planning to build the roster of the national team around Clarkson who has made himself available against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

“He has made himself available. He said he can come in and practice starting August 15. It would be great for the Filipino people to watch Jordan play for the national team here in the Philippines,” said Reyes.

Clarkson and the Yeng Guiao-led squad closed out their outing on a high note after demolishing Syria, 109-55, and became their best finish in the Asian Games since 2002.

However, Reyes said that everything needed to bring in Clarkson is still under process but the SBP is currently doing all that’s necessary to make it happen.

“I know that SBP is talking to his representative, his agent, his management team to fix all the logistics to allow him to come in and play. It’s not that simple. Maraming issues involved. But that’s where we are right now. He said he made himself available. Now we are doing all we can to make it happen,” added Reyes.

Gilas will have a tough task ahead and will seek to retaliate against Lebanon on August 25 and will face Saudi Arabia on August 29.