Clarkson still on Gilas radar

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas men’s basketball team returned to practice at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Loyola Heights last Saturday night and with NCR under Alert Level 2, training will continue in Metro Manila as coach Tab Baldwin’s squad gets ready for the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers in February.

“We started just with some injury prevention conditioning and light individual training,” said Baldwin. “After about 10 days and five to six trainings, we’ll get into more live work.”

Assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga added that the first week will be more for conditioning and getting legs back to avoid any injuries. “Practice won’t still be every day,” he said. “Our next practice is Tuesday.” Among the players who attended the first session were Matt and Mike Nieto, Isaac Go, Ange Kouame, Geo Chiu, Will Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel, SJ Belangel, Allyn Bulanadi, Rey Suerte and Dave Ildefonso. In the combined first and second Group A windows of the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers set at Clark in February, Gilas will play South Korea twice, India once and New Zealand once.

SBP deputy executive director Butch Antonio said that anticipating a conflict in schedule with the UAAP which plans to restart its basketball tournament in February, the federation will work out a synchronized calendar. The Gilas pool includes Kouame, Chiu, Belangel and Ildefonso of Ateneo, RJ Abarrientos of FEU, Carl Tayamo of UP and Justine Baltazar of La Salle.

Antonio said SBP remains in talks with FIBA on Jordan Clarkson’s eligibility as a local for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Clarkson is recognized as a naturalized player but SBP hopes to reclassify the Utah Jazz guard. Antonio said Houston Rockets’ Fil-Am guard Jalen Green is a remote possibility for Gilas. Green, 19, has suited up for the US in the FIBA U17 and U19 World Cups. The only way Green may play for Gilas as a local is if FIBA approves an exception and USA Basketball clears it. Clarkson played for the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games where eligibility rules aren’t as strict as FIBA’s. Clarkson’s teammates included Maverick Ahanmisi, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle all of whom would be considered as naturalized players in FIBA competitions.

Antonio said Gilas practices will follow IATF safety and health protocols with medical consultants Dr. Jose Raul Canlas and Dr. Randy Molo advising on measures.  On the 3x3 front, Antonio welcomed the participation of the PBA, Chooks-To-Go and others in the recently introduced Olympic event. “Rules of engagement are different for 3x3 as commercial promoters may go straight to FIBA,” he said. “It’s all good because widespread participation will mean more qualifying points for our country. SBP will consolidate efforts because an immediate priority is to defend our 3x3 men and women championships in the SEA Games in May.”