WHAT’S good for China, it turns out, is also good for the Philippines after all.
The National Basketball Association (NBA), according to Philippine sports officials already in Jakarta for the 18th Asian Games, has allowed Cleveland Cavaliers’ Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson to suit up for the national team.
“The NBA gave the nod allowing JC [Jordan Clarkson] to play at the Asian Games,” Richard Gomez, the country’s chief of mission to the Asiad, said on Tuesday. Gomez and Filipino sports officials, however, were awaiting an official statement from the NBA late Tuesday.
The NBA on Monday barred Jordan from the Games, saying the league only allows its players for International Basketball Association (Fiba) tournaments—the Asian Games is not one of them.
But the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) found a hole in the NBA rule—the league allowed the Houston Rockets’ Zuo Qi and Dallas Mavericks’ Ding Yanyuhang to play for China.
“We are faced with a confusing situation. China has submitted a lineup that includes Zuo Qi and Ding Yanyuhang, current NBA players,” POC President Ricky Vargas said.
“NBA, please enlighten us. Isn’t China subject to the same rule that the NBA caused on Clarkson not allowing him to play for the Philippine team? Or did China simply disobey?” Vargas added.
Clarkson was advised to take the first flight out of the US to catch the Philippines’ opening game against Kazakhstan today.
President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, wished Filipino athletes good luck when Malacañang hosted a send-off ceremony on Monday.
Duterte praised representatives of the 272-athlete delegation as “some of the most dedicated and passionate athletes of our country today” and reminded them “to do everything while carrying the flag in the competition.”
“Only a few have been gifted with the ability and provided with the opportunity to be part of something this big,” Duterte said.
“Remember that you do not only compete for yourselves, but also carry with you the pride of your families, your community and the entire Filipino nation,” he added.
Duterte also pledged the administration will provide continued assistance for the athletes.
“Trust that we in government will continue to support the development of our athletes and intensify our commitment towards sports excellence, global competitiveness and the greater glory of your country, the Philippines,” he said.
The Philippine Sports Commission is spending P72 million for the athletes’ participation in the Games that open this Saturday and end on September 2. The country is competing in 35 sports.
“All I ask from you is that you do your best and that you do it fair and square,” Duterte said.
Daniel Caluag won the country’s only gold medal in the Incheon 2004 games in cycling’s men’s BMX. He was the top choice as flag bearer in the opening ceremony but begged off because of conflicts in his flight schedule.
Another gold medal favorite is weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who clinched silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Taiwanese Hsu Shi-Ching, who beat her to the gold, is already retired.