Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson won’t suit up for the Philippine national team in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China on September 23, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Related: SBP announces Gilas 3.0 final lineup
Clarkson got the green light from the Lakers to play for Gilas Pilipinas, provided the Fil-American cager will be back with the team on or before September 28 in time for the media day and training camp. That allows Clarkson to play only in the elimination round of the biennial meet.
Still, he can’t don the national team jersey — at least in this tournament that serves as the 2016 Olympic qualifier as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) failed to secure his clearance from FIBA.
“We did all that we could to have Jordan Clarkson join Gilas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship but we are saddened to report that we are not able to beat the deadline to secure the necessary clearances on time,” the SBP said in a statement released on Tuesday (September 8).
“Although we pushed the boundaries whenever possible, this process cannot be rushed if it were to be done properly.”
Related: Clarkson gets green light from Lakers to play for Gilas
But the country’s basketball federation remains hopeful that the All-Rookie team member will one day represent the tricolor flag.
“The interest and passion of Jordan Clarkson himself, with the full support of his family, to don the Gilas jersey serves as a reason for SBP to be hopeful,” the SBP said. “Though the doors on the 2015 FIBA Asia meet have been closed, the future of the national team program is encouraging with Clarkson’s desire to represent the flag and country.
Jordan Clarkson shows desire to join Gilas
The SBP also announced the Final lineup of the team that will lock horns with Asia’s best teams in the tournament on September 23.
According to the statement: “Finalizing the lineup for FIBA Asia was a challenge for coach Tab Baldwin with the question on the availability of Jordan Clarkson looming. But now, the team shall move forward and put together a squad that will go into battle for national pride.”
