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Ivan Saldajeno (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--SBP bared some reasons behind its decision not to include Jordan Clarkson in the Gilas 3 roster for the FIBA Asia Championship.
In an official statement which came with the announcement of the Final 12 on Tuesday night, SBP revealed that the organization failed to submit necessary documents to clear Clarkson in time.
"We did all that we could to have Jordan Clarkson join Gilas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, but we are saddened to report that we are not able to beat the deadline to secure the necessary clearances on time," the Philippine basketball-governing body said.
SBP also said that the schedule of the training camp of the Los Angeles Lakers played a factor as well in its decision to cut Clarkson.
The statement continued, "We respectfully adhere to the schedule set by the Los Angeles Lakers whom SBP officials Ricky Vargas and Pato Gregorio met with to try to exhaust all possible options.... The Los Angeles Lakers management has allowed Jordan Clarkson to play for the Gilas Pilipinas team as long as it will not conflict with the schedule of the NBA. Unfortunately, under this limitation, Jordan Clarkson can only participate in the elimination phase of the tournament. This scheduling issue is distinct to the FIBA Asia zone."
Despite failing to insert the 6-5 combo guard to the Gilas lineup, SBP expressed its full support on Clarkson's desire to play for the Philippines.
"Though the doors on the 2015 FIBA Asia meet have been closed, the future of the national team program is encouraging with Clarkson's desire to represent flag and country," the organization further said.
About the schedule matters, SBP also said that it will meet FIBA officials to ask for aligning the date of the FIBA Asia tournament to the other continental competitions.
"We will ask FIBA Asia to consider holding the tournament in the same manner as FIBA Americas, Europe, Oceania, and Africa do, that is avoiding scheduling conflict with the calendar of the NBA," SBP continued.