SBP: Jordan needs support of teammates

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FOR Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio, having Fil-Am NBA player Jordan Clarkson alone will not hack it for Gilas Pilipinas — his teammates should also deliver the goods in the FIBA World Asian qualifiers leading up to the World Cup the country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia exactly 364 days from now.

“I don’t know whether he has to prove himself because he’s proving himself, right? I mean, he’s a Sixth Man (of the Year winner) in the NBA, he’s done well,” Panlilio said yesterday in the kickoff of the “One Year To Go” countdown leading to FIBA World Cup 2023 at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.

“I think it’s more of a team game, if we can elevate, I guess the performance,” he added.

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Panlilio said the cage body is open to explore other options on player naturalization.

“We’re also looking at others because Jordan will not be available for all windows. As you know, other countries have their own naturalized players and in fact, they get them naturalized easier, tayo it takes a bit of time,” Panlilio said.

“I’m asking for a list from the coaches, maybe two or three names, that we can work with Congress and Senate to naturalize and have a pool of options at least for the team. Of course, Ange Kouame is available also.’

The event graced by SBP vice president Ricky Vargas, executive director Sonny Barrios, and Executive Director of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 David Crocker also bared the FIBA local ambassadors from the Philippines such as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and the members of the fabled 2013-2014 Gilas Pilipinas squad.

As the country’s local ambassadors, they will be embodiments of FIBA’s values and principles upholding responsible, progressive, and team-work centered practices inside and outside the court.

Gray and the former Gilas cagers will also join the local ambassadors of co-hosts Japan and Indonesia as well as the FIBA Global Ambassador that will be named later this year.

“It reminds me of the feeling of support that I had when I represented the country at the international stage,” the charming Gray said. “It gives me so much pride and joy. I look forward to warmly welcoming the world’s eyes and our visitors to the Philippines. I know we will have a celebration like no other.”

Added Ginebra veteran playmaker LA Tenorio: “Sobrang thankful kami sa opportunity.

Before, when we were playing back in 2014 in the World Cup, I’m sure you guys were cheering for us and a lot of these guys playing now for our team were cheering for us.

“Now it’s our time to give back. It’s time for us to also share our experience when we were playing back for the country. So, we’re looking forward to kung anuman ang puwede naming maitulong as ambassadors.”

Joining Tenorio in the launch were former Gilas teammates Jeff Chan, Larry Fonacier, and Gary David.

Panlilio said Clarkson, the Utah Jazz’s former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, remains a shoo-in for the naturalized player slot for the world hoops spectacle.

“It’s that management of Jordan, you know, amazing player, a great player,” he said. “If we can complement him with the other players, and we can get that cohesion, that we are trying to achieve, then hands down it should be Jordan.”

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