Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson will not don the Philippines’ colors in the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia following an NBA ruling that barred the Cavs hotshot from joining the Filipino men’s national basketball team in the said games.
Clarkson later took to Facebook to express his disappointment over the NB A’s decision but remained upbeat over his chances of joining the national team in future competitions.
To my Filipino Brothers and Sisters,
I am terribly disappointed to say that I have not received the required consent to participate in the upcoming Asian Games with our National Team. Although I will not be there in person, I will be with my Gilas teammates in heart and spirit. Despite this, my desire and ambition to play with my countrymen in the future remains resolute and I am adamant that this dream will come true!
PUSO!
The basketball tournament at the Asian Games is not sanctioned by FIBA, thus paving the way for a prior agreement between the NBA and international governing body of the sport to deny the league’s players chances of participating in non-FIBA tournaments.
The Philippines is one of Asia’s basketball powerhouses. With or without Jordan Clarkson, the country is expected to be in serious contention for at least a podium finish. That said, having the Cavs guard on the team would have given the Philippines a tremendous, especially up against the likes of South Korea, China, and Iran.