Clarkson longs to wear Gilas jersey again

MANILA, Philippines — Utah Jazz key player Jordan Clarkson longs for another stint with Gilas Pilipinas, determined to help the Nationals achieve something bigger next time.

“That’s definitely something I want to do,” Clarkson said on The Game on One Sports on the subject of playing international ball for Gilas.

“So hopefully everything lines up and I’m free during that time and that moment. I’m going to put that Gilas jersey back on and go win us something,” he added.

The explosive Fil-Am NBA star hooked up with Gilas during the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. Clarkson turned in averages of 25 points, 7.3 rebounds and one steal in his debut with the Philippine team that settled for fifth place.

“We did a great job. I thought we could have won the whole thing but you know, we’ll get another shot at China and everybody else again,” he said.

Though allowed to play as a local in the Asiad, where eligibility requirements are not as strict, Clarkson will have to hurdle more technicalities to play for Gilas in FIBA tournaments like the World Cup.

The world governing body classifies Clarkson as a “naturalized player” despite his Filipino bloodline due to its ruling requiring a player to have acquired a passport in the country he would play for by the age of 16.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is lobbying to amend the ruling so Clarkson and Fil-foreigners with similar situations like Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle will be categorized rightfully as locals in FIBA competitions.