IT’S final: Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson won’t be playing for the national men’s basketball team in the Jakarta-Palembang 18th Asian Games.
After relentless efforts by local sports officials—and a feverish social-media campaign by fans—the National Basketball Association (NBA) barred the 6-foot-5 guard Clarkson from playing for the Philippines in the Asian Games, saying the league only allows its players to play for their respective countries in International Basketball Federation (Fiba) tournaments.
“The NBA’s agreement with Fiba stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, Fiba Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions, and associated qualifying tournaments,” NBA Spokesman Tim Frank said in a statement.
“Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players are unable to participate,” he added.
The NBA decision put an end to efforts by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to have Clarkson on the team coached by NLEX’s Yeng Guiao and composed of the core of Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The NBA stressed Clarkson could play in future tournaments within the bounds of the NBA-Fiba agreement.
“In accordance with the NBA’s agreement with Fiba, Jordan is welcome to represent the Philippines in the agreed-upon competitions,” Frank said.
The Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee, Olympic Council of Asia and even the Cleveland Cavaliers management have agreed to let Clarkson play.
Guiao, however, remained confident of the team’s chances even without Clarkson.
“We prepared without Jordan Clarkson, which we did since the beginning. There’s a little bit of disappointment but we will play as one,” Guiao said.
Guiao has set a modest goal of matching, or surpassing the seventh-place finish a team coached by Chot Reyes and reinforced by American Marcus Douthit notched Incheon four years ago.
Heading the team are Elasto Painters’ Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Beau Belga and Raymund Almazan. San Miguel Corp. lent Paul Lee of Magnolia and Christian Standhardinger of San Miguel Beer to the team that flew to Jakarta on Sunday night.
GlobalPort also sent Stanley Pringle and he will join Poy Erram of Blackwater and Asi Taulava of NLEX.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) was disappointed with the NBA decision, according to Secretary-General Patrick Gregorio.
“We tried our very best. Your Philippine sports leaders worked round-the-clock—so many sleepless nights. We were one clearance away,” Gregorio said.
“Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears. They applied a rule, a rule that will never be understood,” he added.
“[The NBA] broke the hearts of 100 million Filipinos. We will never forget this.”