George King expresses interest in playing for Gilas

George King is loving his stay in the Philippines to the point that he wants to play for Gilas. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--"Starting for Gilas Pilipinas... at forward, number 94, George King."

Well, that is the Blackwater import's wishful thinking right now.

"I would love to play for the national team. I would love to put that blue and gold jersey across on number 94. I would love to do that," King specifically said on Monday night when he announced his interest in playing for Gilas.

"If they want to have me, I would love to do it."

King was fresh from a 64-point blast in the Bossing's 139-118 stunning blowout win against the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the last game of the PBA Governors' Cup group stages at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Although already a no-bearing game since ROS is heading to the quarterfinals as Group B's top seed and Blackwater is now out of contention, King, who said that he only found out about the stipulations of the game by 2 p.m. Monday, still wanted to put on a show.

And he did, going 18-of-35 from the field and a perfect 20-for-20 from the free throw line while easily setting a franchise record for the Bossing.

"When I was at the free throw line tonight, I just felt like a deep sense of calm," King said about his performance.

"I think within my first couple of free throws, I knew it's going to be a good night tonight."

His thought of playing for Gilas began when Blackwater treated him when he arrived as Ricky Ledo's replacement.

"The reason why I'm playing so well is because everything is so well in my life with me being here in the Philippines. I can't stress it enough--my accommodations, how the team's treating me, and the amount of fun I've been having. When I'm having fun and enjoying life, my game follows," King further said, adding that his 64-point game against the Elasto Painters and the 49-point performance against the San Miguel Beermen before this were "side effects" of how he is enjoying his time with the Bossing.

Meanwhile, he bared that he was surprised that former Gilas Pilipinas player Jordan Clarkson is treated in the Philippines as a celebrity.

King played a lot of games against Clarkson during their high school days in San Antonio.

"It's kind of funny when I'm around the city, I see his picture on the billboard," King said.

"I would love to mix it up with him and the guys here. It'd be an opportunity of a lifetime for me, and to do it for a place I enjoy being, it's just a double whammy for real."

For now, the 30-year-old King, who is said to have resemblances to current Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee when he was still young, would have to begin a waiting game if a naturalization process is set for him.

King might also need to yield as Ange Kouame and Bennie Boatwright are also waiting in the wings as part of Gilas' naturalized player pool.

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