SBP confirms Lakers G Jordan Clarkson a PH passport holder

MANILA, Philippines -- There is a big possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers' Fil-Am guard Jordan Clarkson would play for Gilas Pilipinas in the future. 

No less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Sonny Barrios confirmed that Clarkson is is a Philippine passport holder.

"Yes (Clarkson has a Philippine passport). He arrived in May using his Philippine passport and he will use it again this time," Barrios told Philstar.com while waiting for the rising NBA star's arrival on Monday.

READ: Lakers G Jordan Clarkson due for Manila to observe Gilas training

Clarkson is due for his second Manila visit this year to sign an endorsement deal with Smart Communications, Inc. owned by the MVP group headed by SBP President Manny V. Pangilinan. His itinerary also includes a basketball clinic with the youth and to help Gilas' preparation for the FIBA Asia Men's Championship. 

The NBA sophomore guard will meet the SBP and Smart officials on Tuesday morning. 

Clarkson, whose mother Annette, is a Filipina born in Angeles, Pampanga, first came here last May with Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke as part of the NBA's three-day promotional tour. 

The Lakers guard will stay longer in the country this time. 

He was also invited to observe the Gilas training and hopefully, join the national pool when they compete in the William Jones Cup in Taipei later this month. 

"We are working on it," was Barrios' short reply when asked if there is a chance that the NBA player would play for Gilas in the future. 

The Gilas pool is also set to arrive on Monday evening from a winless stint in the 2015 Toyota Four Nations Cup in Estonia. They are expected to plunge back to training on Tuesday and hopes to have Marc Pingris and Clarkson by then.