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| Jordan Clarkson is finally committing to Gilas for the World Cup. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA--Jordan Clarkson is joining Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA World Cup after all.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio announced on Tuesday that the Utah Jazz star has committed to joining Gilas for the said event, ending speculations on who among him and Ginebra star Justin Brownlee will be the national team's naturalized swingman.
"Just this morning [after] a lot of work from Butch [Antonio] and coach Chot [Reyes], Jordan Clarkson has committed to play for the team," Panlilio announced during the pep rally for Gilas' men's and women's team.
However, Panlilio bared that Clarkson might not make it to a series of tune-up games Gilas will play at the start of August in Guangdong.
"Jordan is coming in, I believe, on Aug. 6, but he has committed and he will be part of this effort to bring glory to Philippine basketball," Panlilio said.
Gilas is scheduled to play Lebanon, Iran, and Senegal in Guangdong from Aug. 2-6, but that could also mean Clarkson gets to observe the last of the tune-up games if he flies for the said Chinese city before joining Gilas back home.
Gilas initially thought of pleading to FIBA to make Brownlee, who has been with the Gin Kings since 2016, a local so they can play together with Clarkson.
But to still give Brownlee some props for being part of Gilas' road to the World Cup, the SBP will place him in the national team for the Asian Games.
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