MANILA – Even without Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson, Gilas Pilipinas remains competitive in the 2018 Asian Games basketball which will start on Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gilas head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao is positive his hastily-build squad will keep in step with opponents in the Asiad, noting improvements showed during their final practices.
“Everybody is working hard and totally committed,” said Guiao. “I can’t name any particular individual who is standing out. But I have a good feeling about this team in general.”
Guiao admitted he was disappointed that NBA has not allowed Clarkson to suit up for the national men’s basketball team but is willing to roll the punches with the players at his disposal.
“He’s not been cleared by the NBA and so we prepare without Jordan Clarkson which we have been doing since the beginning, anyway,” Guiao said. “But we just got excited and we expected he could play. So there’s a little bit of disappointment.”
“Pero nakahanda naman kami. We’ll still be playing as hard as we can with or without Jordan Clarkson,” added the fiery mentor. “I am confident with the players in my lineup will give their all.”
With Clarkson out, Guiao said their focus is now convincing the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) to allow the insertion of TNT KaTropa’s Celedonio Trollano in lieu of Clarkson.
“I hope the organizers approve his name. Ganun lang kasimple,” said Guiao. “But it would have been a lot of help if Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines, a lot of Filipinos would have been happy.”
“We felt sad he (Clarkson) he will not be with us pero andiyan naman si ‘Don Clarkson,” he added in jest. “Whether he’s approved or not, he will join the team na. Kung hindi ma-approve si Don, tourist na lang siya.”
Eleven players are so far cleared for Gilas: James Yap, Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu, Raymond Almazan, Maverick Ahanmisi, Beau Belga, Asi Taulava, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, and John Paul Erram.
Gilas will open its campaign on Aug. 16 against Kazakhstan at 10 a.m. The Filipinos will return on Aug. 21 in a much-awaited encounter with the mighty Chinese squad at 4 p.m./PN
