CLARKSON MEETS PACQUIAO
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Aug 2015
"Awesome ... amazing!"
Those were the words expressed by Filipino-American stalwart of the Los Angeles Lakers in Jordan Clarkson and mentor Tim Fuller in describing their feelings in meeting international boxing idol Manny Pacquiao Wednesday night.
The duo paid Pacquiao a courtesy call at the latter's Forbes Park residence in Makati City and both were starstruck seeing the eight-division champion in person.
"Awesome, it's an honor meeting, shaking hands and talking with him, a respected and adored sports personality all over the world," Clarkson, who turned 23 lat June 7, told this writer.
"Amazing," Fuller for his part, exclaimed. "he's an internationally acclaimed person, not only in sports and this occasion, certainly, is a rare privilege for me. "
Both confessed seeing Pacquiao for the first time.
Clarkson, a six-foot-5-inch son of an American father Mike Clarkson and a Filipino mother Anette Davis of Angeles City in Pampanga, and Fuller were accompanied to Pacquiao's posh residence by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' Patricia Hizon and Ex Sander and Sean Nichols, an Australian marketing man.
Clarkson and Fuller arrived in Manila last Monday to fix International Basketball Federation's (FIBA) requirements for him to officially confirm his Filipino-American status so he can reinforce the Philippine team competing in the Olympic qualifying tournament FIBA-Asia Championship next month in China.
The NBA sophomore, who was selected in the second round with the 46th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, played a friendly game of chess with Pacquiao and watched with interest by members the Filipino icon's household and visitors.
He lost the match although both he and the three-time "Fighter of the Year" awardee of the Boxing Writers Association of America did not say in how many moves.
Pacquiao play chess with LA Lakers' Jordan Clarkson at the former's residence at Forbes Park in Makati Wednesday.
L-R: Fuller, Pacquiao and Clarkson strike a pose.
Photos by Wendell Rupert Alinea
"He's (Pacquiao) also very good in chess," the 2015 NBA All-Rookie First Team member and Rookie of the Month honoree said of Pacquiao as a chess player. "I like him more though as a boxer."
Clarkson and party stayed at Pacquiao's house till 1:30 in the morning the next day gladly obliging to pose for pictures from those present and watching their host play more chess games with former PBA mainstay Zaldy Realubit.
Clarkson told Pacquiao of his desire to play for the Philippine team, promising to cooperate whole-heartedly with the SBP to complete his papers.
Pacquiao thanked him, saying the country really needs him to regain the glory the Philippines once enjoyed not only in Asian basketball but the world as well.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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