JORDAN CLARKSON GIVES GILAS PILIPINAS A CHANCE TO WIN RIO OLYMPIC QUALIFIER
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 May 2016
Filipino-American backcourt star of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan Clarkson, gives Gilas Pilipinas a chance to win an Olympic qualifying berth for the Rio de Janiero Games in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila from July 5 to 10.
Clarkson who was in Manila to participate in the ceremonial unveiling of the new Gilas Pilipinas jersey at the Shangri-La at The Fort in Global City in Taguig, told journalists at Kerry Gym inside the hotel complex that ?we just have to play our best each time we?re on the floor. Beating our opponents in the OQT I think, is possible.?
The Philippines faces powerhouse world No. 5 ranked France in their opening game before taking on New Zealand in their second outing in Group B of the preliminary round.
If the Philippine team which is backed by the pro league, the Philippine Basketball Association, advance to the semi finals where they will meet Canada, Turkey or Senegal with the winner making it to the finals for the sole Rio Olympics qualifying berth.
Clarkson whose mother Annette hails from Angeles City in Pampanga believes the role of Filipino fans in the tournament should play a vital role as it did in the Fiba Asia Championships in the same venue when Gilas entered the finals against Iran but lost after naturalized player Douthit was injured and had to sit out the finals against Iran who emerged champions.
Clarkson whose LA Lakers stunned defending NBA champions Golden State Warriors 112-95 in a major upset some two months ago in an NBA Regular Season game believes ?the crowd will work in our favor. Everybody will come to support our team for sure. We can qualify.?
There was a time when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was negotiating with the Lakers and the NBA to get clearance for Clarkson to play for the Philippines but it apparently met several obstacles along the way although Clarkson had practiced with the team under coach Tab Baldwin and expressed his desire to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.
The squad under Baldwin has had to suffer the loss of the recent PBA Commissioner?s Cup ?Most Valuable Player? Paul Lee of champions Rain or Shine who begged off due to an injury on his left knee which was taking time to heal.
Coach Baldwin who served as an analyst on the television panel that covered the finals said ?we all saw what he?s capable of doing. It?s a misfortune for us because I told him we could certainly use his skills set and the way he played in the finals would have been an asset to the team.?
Baldwin faced up to the reality by saying he was not going to sit around and cry over spilled milk because we don?t have him.?
Baldwin acknowledged its reality and something that happens every year. He added, ?hardly ever in my career have I gone into a campaign with a fully healthy team. It's part and parcel of being in sports.?
The coach referred to Lee as ?a fallen brother? but emphasized they would simply have to move on.
Among Baldwin?s other injury concerns are two-time MVP, 6?10? center Junmar Fajardo who was ordered to rest because of swollen knee while 7 foot center Greg Slaughter ruined the chances of fielding a local twin tower combination when he had to pull out due to ligament issues in his ankles and was scheduled to have surgery which would keep him out for at least three months while hustling Matt Ganuelas-Rosser who played in the Fiba Asia Championships in China is also sidelined following surgery on his ankle.
Perhaps the biggest concern for Baldwin is shooting star Jeff Chan who is bothered by a hamstring injury but hopes to recover in time for their training stint abroad.
The only bit of good news was that naturalized American, former NBA standout Andray Blatche who arrived in Manila last Friday and joined the team?s practice last Saturday looked in good shape compared to how he looked when he joined Gilas, overweight and out of shape during the build-up to the Fiba Asia Championships in Changsha, China last year.
Coach Baldwin?s terse comment was ?he looks better.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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