By Adrian Stewart Co

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) plans to “do everything” to have Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson available for the Philippine men’s national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, set to take place in China from August 31 to September 15.

SBP President Al Panlilio said, in an interview with the AFP, the organization will again try convincing FIBA to allow the Filipino-American Clarkson to play as a Filipino citizen.

“We have been trying to convince, or discuss, the matter with FIBA,” he said. “Everyone is working on the matter and we will do everything we can to make it happen.”

“Based on our constitution, he is Filipino,” Panlilio added.

FIBA rules restricts teams to one “naturalized” player, which leaves Gilas having to choose between Clarkson and Andray Blatche./ASC, WDJ